Zimbabwe Senate Approves Bill Extending Presidential Term Limits

Zimbabwe Senate Approves Bill Extending Presidential Term Limits – The Senate of Zimbabwe has approved a constitutional amendment bill extending presidential terms from five years to seven years, a move that could allow President Emmerson Mnangagwa to remain in office until 2030.

The bill was passed with overwhelming support, with 75 senators voting in favour and four against, surpassing the two-thirds majority required for constitutional amendments.

The proposed legislation introduces two significant changes. Presidential terms will be extended from five to seven years, while future presidents would be elected by Parliament rather than through a direct popular vote.

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The bill now awaits President Mnangagwa’s assent before becoming law.

Mnangagwa, 83, came to power following the 2017 Zimbabwean coup d’état that ended the nearly four-decade rule of Robert Mugabe.

Supporters of the amendment argue that it will strengthen accountability and promote political stability. Critics, however, contend that the changes are designed to prolong Mnangagwa’s stay in power.

The proposal follows a resolution by the ruling ZANU-PF to amend the Constitution and extend presidential terms. The initiative received Cabinet approval earlier this year before securing Senate backing this week.

The constitutional changes represent one of the most significant shifts in Zimbabwe’s governance framework in recent years and are expected to continue generating debate among political stakeholders and citizens alike.