Key facts
- Zimbabwe's Senate has approved a constitutional amendment bill.
- The bill proposes extending presidential terms to seven years.
- The bill would change presidential elections from popular vote to selection by parliament.
- The changes could allow President Emmerson Mnangagwa to remain in office until 2030.
Zimbabwe's Senate has given its approval to a constitutional amendment bill that proposes significant changes to the country's presidential term limits and election process. The bill, if passed into law, would extend the duration of presidential terms from the current five years to seven years. Furthermore, it seeks to alter the method of presidential election, moving away from a direct popular vote to a system where the president would be selected by parliament. This constitutional amendment has the potential to allow President Emmerson Mnangagwa to remain in power beyond his current term, with projections suggesting he could stay in office until 2030. The proposed changes are viewed as a move to consolidate power and ensure political stability under Mnangagwa's leadership.