SAN SALVADOR: El Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele was on course to win a super-majority in Congress in mid-term elections, a preliminary vote count showed on Monday, with his party and allies likely reducing once dominant rivals to a handful of legislative seats.
The president's New Ideas party plus its allies had some 70% of the vote with more than 90% of votes counted, likely enough to win at least two thirds of seats in Congress and greatly increase Bukele's power in the Central American nation.
"The citizens heeded the President's call to give him enough lawmakers to be able to govern without any opposition," said Eduardo Escobar, electoral expert and executive director of the non-governmental organization Citizen Action.
"The results give him a free rein to rule ... there is basically no decision that they cannot make," said Escobar.
Bukele has faced criticism from rights groups and foreign powers for what they see as autocratic leanings.
He has ignored Supreme Court rulings against his policies and once sent armed soldiers into Congress, where until now he has held only a few seats, to pressure the opposition to back a crime-fighting plan.
But he has maintained sky-high approval ratings during his first two years in office, with voters happy to see him belittle the right and left-wing parties who have ruled since the 1992 end of the civil war but have since faced widespread accusations of corruption.
He has lowered crime and increased cash payments to families during the pandemic.
The electoral authority said it will only reveal the distribution of seats after a final count in next few days, but the size of the victory strongly suggested Bukele had won at least 56 of the 84 seats in the unicameral legislature.
That will allow the ruling party and allies to choose, without negotiating, five supreme court judges and a new attorney general as well as enacting constitutional change.
The 39-year-old Bukele, one of the world's youngest leaders, won a landslide victory in 2019 on a pledge to root out corruption.
Slightly more than half of the 5.3 million eligible to cast ballots participated in the election to pick lawmakers and local officials.
Some election-watchers expressed concern that the lopsided results could undermine the country's institutions.
"It creates a democratic worry that we'll lose a balance of powers," political analyst Oscar Picardo told local television station TCS.
The final vote count is expected to begin by late Tuesday.
Reuters
Tue Mar 02 2021
El Salvador's president, Nayib Bukele, speaks as the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccination started at a public health center in San Salvador, El Salvador, February 17, 2021. REUTERS pic
Iran's supreme leader says Hamas leader's death will not halt 'Axis of Resistance'
The "Axis of Resistance", built up with years of Iranian support, includes Hamas, the Lebanese Hezbollah group, the Houthi movement in Yemen, and various Shi'ite groups in Iraq and Syria.
Putin says Russia willing to seek compromises between Iran and Israel
Russia is ready to help seek compromises between arch-foes Israel and Iran, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, saying these would be difficult but possible.
What proposals will Russia push at the BRICS summit?
The proposal is also to establish a BRICS reinsurance company to allow uninterrupted shipment of goods and key commodities between members.
Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office
Prabowo calls the programme one of the main drivers of economic growth, eventually set to add an estimated 2.5 million jobs.
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.
NFOF will be operational in November 2024 with funding of RM1 bil
PM Anwar Ibrahim said NFOF will support venture capital fund managers to invest in startup companies with RM300 million set aside for 2025.