Nuevas Ideas nominates Nayib Bukele for 2027 presidential election

El Salvador's ruling Nuevas Ideas party has formally nominated President Nayib Bukele as its candidate for the 2027 presidential election, setting the stage for his pursuit of a third consecutive term. The party announced the results of its internal primary, held on Sunday, July 12, 2026, confirming that Bukele, 44, will run again alongside Vice President Félix Ulloa. The nomination follows a series of constitutional reforms that removed presidential term limits, allowing indefinite reelection.

The reforms, approved by the Nuevas Ideas-controlled Legislative Assembly in July 2025, eliminated a previous constitutional ban on consecutive reelection. They also extended the presidential term from five to six years and moved the next presidential election to February 2027. Bukele has defended the changes, arguing that many developed countries allow indefinite reelection and that criticism of El Salvador for doing the same is inconsistent. Constitutional scholars and human rights advocates, however, have criticized the moves, accusing Bukele of consolidating power by replacing constitutional court judges and the attorney general to enable his continued rule.