Salvadoran President Bukele registers precandidacy for third term, party says

President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador has officially registered his precandidacy to pursue a third consecutive presidential term in the general elections scheduled for 2027. This move is facilitated by a constitutional reform enacted in 2025, which permits indefinite re-election.

The governing Nuevas Ideas (NI) party announced Bukele's registration on social media, accompanied by a photograph of the application submitted to the party's National Electoral Commission. Vice President Félix Ulloa is also seeking a third term alongside Bukele. Ulloa expressed gratitude for the "new opportunity" to contribute to the country's transformation project, stating that "decades and centuries of frustrated dreams are beginning to come true."

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We are ready.

The Legislative Assembly, overwhelmingly controlled by NI, passed and ratified the constitutional reform in July 2025 during a single session, without prior analysis or debate. This reform amended key articles of the constitution, clearing the path for President Bukele to seek a third consecutive term. Bukele himself has not yet commented on his precandidacy via his social media channels, and he is not expected to face any opponents in his party's primaries.

Bukele, who began his second consecutive term on June 1, 2024, is eligible to serve until 2029. However, the 2025 reform advanced the presidential elections to 2027, aligning them with general elections. Presidential terms will henceforth be six years long. Despite facing growing economic demands from the population, Bukele maintains high approval ratings, largely attributed to his efforts in reducing violence and combating gangs.

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Thank you Nayib, thank you Xavi, thank you Nuevas Ideas for this new opportunity to continue contributing to the wonderful project of transforming our country.