New Reforms to Article 248 of El Salvador’s Constitution Streamline Amendment Process and Boost Power of Deputies

In the final plenary session, outgoing deputies made changes to article 248 of the Constitution to expedite the process of approving future amendments. The new legislature will only need to ratify the reform with three-quarters of elected deputies for it to take effect. This change streamlines the process and allows for quicker approval of any proposed changes.

Article 248 is one of the most important articles in El Salvador’s Constitution, as it outlines the procedure for modifying the Constitution. Previously, this process required approval by half plus one of the deputies in one legislature followed by a second legislature ratifying with at least two-thirds of the deputies. However, this new reform allows changes to be approved and ratified within the same legislature with three-quarters of elected deputies.

The reduction in the number of elected deputies from 84 to 60 was also part of these reforms. While some experts and civil society organizations have raised concerns about increased power and potential implications, others see these changes as necessary for efficient governance and addressing social realities facing Salvadorans.

Speculation has been rampant about what other reforms may be on the horizon, including changes to term limits for president and other officials, as well as modifications to deputy and mayor terms. While details have not been provided by ruling party officials, they have stated that their goal is to address social realities and make needed changes without disrupting governance or citizen rights.

Overall, these constitutional reforms in El Salvador raise questions about power concentration and its impact on democracy in the country. Critics argue that quick approval without thorough analysis or public consultation undermines transparency and accountability while proponents view them as necessary for progress towards a better future for Salvadorans.