The Intelligence from The Economist Just getting started: El Salvador’s president for life
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Aug 13, 2025 
Guests Sarah Burke, The Economist's bureau chief for Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, and Carrie Richmond Jones, the international economics correspondent, dive into the controversial ascent of El Salvador's president, Nayib Bukele. They discuss his aggressive crackdown on gang violence and the troubling constitutional changes allowing indefinite re-election. Shifting family dynamics in the U.S., including a historic drop in birth rates, also take center stage, revealing fascinating societal trends. Finally, they explore the allure and challenges of Provence as a tourist destination.
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Path To Perpetual Presidency
- El Salvador's legislature removed presidential term limits, allowing indefinite re-election.
- The ruling party's supermajority and easier amendment rules enable broad constitutional changes.
Electoral Rules Tilted Toward Incumbent
- The assembly also changed election rules to allow first-round plurality wins and moved the next vote to 2027.
- Those changes make it easier for incumbents to win and harder for opponents to prepare.
Security Boost Fuels Popularity
- Bukele remains broadly popular because his gang crackdown sharply cut the murder rate.
- That security gain helps many Salvadorans overlook democratic erosions.
