The issue has been the center of controversy in recent weeks and is seen as a mere formality, since the reform of the political debt must be ratified by the plenary, probably this week.

According to critics of the initiative, President Bukele only seeks to perpetuate himself in power through this measure, which is a reason for criticism from opponents and is viewed with disfavor by many Salvadorans.

An online survey by La Prensa Gráfica newspaper asked “How do you consider the Salvadoran government’s initiative to eliminate parties’ political debt?”, a question that touches on a core aspect of local politics, campaign financing. Some 35 percent supported the initiative, 48 percent did not accept it, and only 16 percent responded that they do not care.

In recent weeks, the attention of Salvadorans has been focused on the work of the Legislative Assembly, where the absolute majority of Bukele’s party plus three allies prevails (57 of 60 votes).

Until last January, a constitutional reform in El Salvador required the vote of two different legislatures, a process that required the intervention of two legislative formations. That is now history, since the party in power has a blank check, according to critics, for whatever suits it best.

Those who oppose this change argue that the elimination of political debt is a pretext to “distort the Constitution” and seek to perpetuate itself in power, undoubtedly something that will motivate controversy and more confrontation.

Likewise, some critics consider that the elimination will open political campaigns to the entry of financing from “dark” sources and even those linked to drug trafficking.

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