Last week, the popular 42-year-old president requested his registration as a presidential candidate for the ruling party, on the deadline set by the TSE to admit candidacies.
In 2021, the Central American country’s highest court, whose members were appointed by the ruling-controlled Congress, ruled that Bukele could extend his term until 2029 even though the Constitution prohibits consecutive terms.
A recent survey by the Citizen Studies Center of the Francisco Gavidia University (CEC) gives the ruling party’s presidential duo 68.4% support compared to 4.3% for their closest pursuer.
Bukele, in power since June 1, 2019, enjoys unprecedented popularity, largely due to a “war” against gangs that has “liberated” entire areas of the Central American country previously controlled by criminals. The measure has received various criticisms for alleged violations of human rights.
The president has flatly denied these allegations and that he had agreed to truces with the gangs in exchange for prison benefits. In May, former Salvadoran president Mauricio Funes was sentenced to 14 years in prison for negotiating with these criminal groups.
Congress and municipalities will also be renewed in the contest. The TSE also announced on Friday that it endorsed the registration of the presidential formula of the opposition Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front (FMLN) and said that the rest of the formulas, including that of the Nationalist Republican Alliance (Arena), must correct preventions.