Zimbabwe’s Parliament on Tuesday, June 29, approved sweeping constitutional amendments that will extend presidential and parliamentary terms from five to seven years, with the legislation now awaiting President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s assent to become law.
The National Assembly voted 226 to 41 in favour of the bill after adopting changes endorsed by the Senate on June 24. Under the new provisions, Mnangagwa’s final constitutionally permitted term would run until 2030 instead of ending in 2028. The amendments also abolish direct presidential elections, transferring the power to appoint the president to parliament.
According to opposition lawyer Doug Coltart, the reforms could potentially allow a President elected by parliament to begin a new seven-year term. Mnangagwa first assumed office in 2017 following the removal of Robert Mugabe, who had ruled the country for 37 years.