Zimbabwe's lower house passes bill to extend presidential term

Zimbabwe's lower house of parliament on Thursday passed legislation extending the presidential term from five to seven years, a move that would allow President Emmerson Mnangagwa to stay in office until 2030. The vote saw 216 lawmakers in favour and 42 against, surpassing the two-thirds majority required to amend the constitution.

The bill also scrapped direct presidential elections, which have been held since 1990, and instead mandates that future presidents be elected by parliament. Parliamentary terms are also extended from five to seven years, and parliamentary elections scheduled for 2028 are postponed to 2030.

President Mnangagwa, 83, came to power in 2017 after ousting long-time ruler Robert Mugabe with military backing. He went on to win disputed elections in 2018 and 2023. The ruling Zanu-PF party, in power since independence in 1980, has been pushing for constitutional amendments to extend presidential terms, a plan endorsed by the cabinet in February.

Mnangagwa had previously described himself as a constitutionalist and pledged to respect term limits. However, opposition parties, civil society groups and constitutional lawyers argue that such fundamental changes should be put to a national referendum rather than being approved solely by parliament. They warn the amendments could weaken democratic accountability, while supporters say they are necessary for continuity and stability.

A new constitution adopted in 2013 limited a president to a maximum of two terms and required any extension to be endorsed by voters in a referendum. On Wednesday, the Constitutional Court dismissed a legal challenge seeking to block the bill. The legislation now goes to the Senate, where it is expected to pass before being enacted by the president.