In brief
Zimbabwe’s lower house has approved a constitutional amendment that will extend the presidential term to seven years and keep President Emmerson Mnangagwa in office until 2030. The bill passed with 216 votes in favour, surpassing the required two‑thirds majority, and will transfer the task of electing a new president from the public to parliament. Key provisions include scrapping direct elections, extending parliamentary terms, and delaying the next election from 2028 to 2030. Opposition groups argue a national referendum is needed, fearing reduced democratic accountability and entrenchment of Mnangagwa’s rule. The amendment has been cleared by the Constitutional Court and is now heading to the Senate for final approval.
Zimbabwe’s lower house of parliament has approved a constitutional amendment that will extend the presidential term from five to seven years, allowing President Emmerson Mnangagwa to remain in office until 2030.
The bill passed with 216 votes in favour, exceeding the required two‑thirds majority, while 42 lawmakers opposed it. The amendment also abolishes direct presidential elections and transfers the task of electing a new president to the parliament.
Key provisions include:
- Scrap of direct presidential elections.
- Parliament elects the president.
- Extension of presidential and parliamentary terms to seven years.
- Delay of the next parliamentary election from 2028 to 2030.
- Presidential term extensions for Mnangagwa, whose first term began in 2017.
The move comes after a campaign by the ruling Zanu‑PF coalition, which has been in power since independence, and follows Cabinet approval in February.
Opposition parties, civil society groups and constitutional lawyers argue that a national referendum should have decided such structural changes. They worry the amendment weakens democratic accountability and could entrench Mnangagwa’s rule.
Zimbabwe’s Constitutional Court has already dismissed a legal challenge that sought to block the bill, and the amendment is now heading to the Senate for further approval before it can be signed into law.
