Zimbabwe’s Senate approves amendment extending presidential term
Summary
Zimbabwe’s Senate approved a constitutional change that extends presidential and parliamentary terms from five to seven years and allows the president to be chosen by parliament instead of by voters. This amendment will keep President Emmerson Mnangagwa in office until 2030 if he signs it into law.Key Facts
- Zimbabwe’s Senate voted 75 in favor and 4 against the amendment to extend terms and change the election process.
- The amendment lengthens presidential and parliamentary terms from 5 years to 7 years.
- The president will be elected by members of parliament rather than by a direct popular vote.
- The bill must be signed by President Mnangagwa to become law.
- Mnangagwa’s party, ZANU-PF, holds a strong majority in parliament and has ruled since 1980.
- The opposition says the changes will make it harder to challenge ZANU-PF’s power.
- Human Rights Watch reported that people opposing the amendment faced threats, harassment, and violence.
- Legal attempts to stop the amendment process have not succeeded.
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