Yes to extended presidential term in Zimbabwe

TT

Published 21.54

 

Zimbabwe's president, one of the world's oldest leaders, Emmerson Mnangagwa, looks set to get more time in power. Archive photo. Photo: Anton Vaganov/Pool Via AP/TT

Zimbabwe's 83-year-old president Emmerson Mnangagwa looks set to stay in office until 2030.

The Senate in the country's parliament has approved constitutional amendments that postpone the next presidential election.

75 of the 80 senators voted yes. The amendments, which have previously been hammered through in the lower house, abolish direct presidential elections in the future - the president will instead be appointed by parliament - and extend the terms of office of the president and parliamentarians from five to seven years.

All that remains is Mnangagwa's own signature.

Critics have described the proposal as a “constitutional coup” that is feared to consolidate the ruling Zanu-PF party’s grip on power.

Mnangagwa has ruled the country since 2017, when the military forced out the authoritarian Robert Mugabe after 37 years in power.