Zimbabwe’s parliament has approved a controversial bill that would extend the presidential term from five years to seven, a move that could keep President Emmerson Mnangagwa in office until 2030.
The lower house passed the amendment with the two-thirds majority needed to change the constitution, according to reports. The proposal also delays the 2028 elections by two years and extends the terms of parliamentarians, councillors, and mayors from five to seven years. Supporters of the bill argue that the extension would provide political continuity and give the government more time to carry out long-term development plans. They say the move could help stabilize governance and reduce repeated election cycles that often interrupt policy implementation.
Critics, however, say the change weakens democratic accountability and concentrates too much power in the hands of the ruling party. Opposition figures and civil society groups have warned that the reform could set a troubling precedent in a country where constitutional rules have already been a source of political tension.
The bill still needs to complete the remaining legal steps before becoming law, but it is widely expected to advance further because Mnangagwa’s Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) party holds strong influence in parliament. If fully enacted, the amendment would mark one of Zimbabwe’s most significant political shifts in years and could reshape the country’s electoral timeline for the rest of the decade.
Africa Presents is a Pan-African digital magazine and monthly publication covering politics, business, economy, culture, tech, and the stories shaping Africa and its diaspora. Visit africapresents.com and follow @AfricaPresents for daily coverage and monthly themed magazine editions.
Leave a comment