Zimbabwe’s justice minister has introduced a constitutional amendment bill in Parliament that would extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s tenure by two years, pushing elections from 2028 to 2030. The proposal would also lengthen presidential, parliamentary, mayoral, and local council terms from five years to seven years, and replace direct presidential elections with selection by members of Parliament. Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi aims to pass the bill by the end of June. With the ruling ZANU-PF party having a parliamentary majority, there is a high chance of success. Meanwhile, critics argue that such changes require a national referendum and warn that the proposal could undermine democratic accountability. Several legal challenges are already before Zimbabwe’s Constitutional Court, which has yet to issue a ruling on the controversial reforms.
AP
