Politics & Government Guide in El Salvador

Political system, governance structure, stability indicators, and democratic institutions

El Salvador is led by President Nayib Bukele of Nuevas Ideas, who secured re-election in 2024 amid a supermajority in the Legislative Assembly. Recent constitutional reforms have removed presidential term limits and extended terms to six years, consolidating executive power. A prolonged state of emergency has reduced gang violence but raised human rights concerns.

Government Type

Unitary presidential representative democratic republic

Legal System

Civil law system

Head of State

President Nayib Bukele(since 2019)

Head of Government

President Nayib Bukele(Nuevas Ideas)since 2019

Legislature

Type:unicameral

Upper House:Upper House

Lower House:Legislative Assembly (60 seats)

Major Political Parties

Nuevas Ideas(NI)

Populist

57 seats

Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front(FMLN)

Left-wing

0 seats

Nationalist Republican Alliance(ARENA)

Conservative

0 seats

Voting Rights

Citizens aged 18 and older have full voting rights in presidential, legislative, and municipal elections.

Recent Developments

Constitutional amendments passed on July 31, 2025, extending presidential term from five to six years and allowing indefinite re-election
State of emergency in place since March 2022, extended multiple times, suspending certain rights to combat gang violence
2024 presidential election won by Nayib Bukele with absolute majority; legislative elections resulted in supermajority for Nuevas Ideas
Ban on metal mining lifted in late 2025 to promote economic growth

Voting Age18

SuffrageUniversal

Constitution1983

Departments14