Sweeping constitutional amendments that would extend Zimbabwe’s presidential term by two years cleared their final parliamentary hurdle Tuesday, leaving only President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s signature to become law.
The National Assembly voted 226 to 41 to accept changes proposed by the Senate when it passed the legislation on June 24, the speaker announced.
The raft of amendments includes a provision that would lengthen both presidential and parliamentary terms from five to seven years. The change means President Mnangagwa’s second and constitutionally final term would be extended until 2030.
Another amendment would give parliament the power to appoint the president, removing the direct presidential elections introduced in 1987, seven years after independence.
Critics have labeled the changes a “constitutional coup.” Opposition figures argue the amendments will entrench the ruling Zanu-PF party’s hold on power. The party has governed Zimbabwe since independence in 1980 and holds a parliamentary majority.
Lawyer and leading opposition figure Doug Coltart told AFP that the amendments could allow a president to begin a fresh seven-year term when elected by parliament. He said the same loophole could let parliament “continually renew its own mandate without ever returning to the electorate.”
“It’s an interpretation that we are now going to have to fight,” Coltart said.
Zimbabwe’s opposition has accused the government of years of repression and tainted elections.
Mnangagwa, 83, came to power in 2017 in a military-backed coup that ousted Robert Mugabe after 37 years in office. Mnangagwa is nicknamed “The Crocodile” for his political ruthlessness.
