Monsignor Escobar Alas press conference.
The people want President Bukele to be re-elected, said Monsignor Escobar Alas, the highest representative of the Catholic Church in El Salvador, in a press conference this Sunday, September 25th, 2022.
“Is a request that the people have repeatedly made of him, in one way or another,” stated Monsignor Alas. President Bukele announced that he would seek a second presidential term on November 15th.
The Archbishop of San Salvador assured that the conditions are given for the President of the Republic, Nayib Bukele, to seek re-election in 2024. Re-election is prohibited in six articles of the Salvadoran Constitution.
However, the Constitutional Chamber judges ruled that President Nayib Bukele can register as a presidential candidate for the upcoming 2024 elections. This ruling didn’t please the opposition, as they will now face the most popular President in Salvadoran history.
A high number of the population has come out (saying) that they want him to be re-elected. This is unprecedented; we have never had it in the 200 years that we have been a Republic.” Monsenior Jose Luis Escobar Alas.
Monsignor Alas stated that the Salvadorans want Bukele to be re-elected. He also pointed out that the Court had issued a ruling on the issue, and the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) said that would comply with the ruling.
Whether re-election is legal or not, Monsignor Alas stated that “the discussion can always be made, of course, and it is good. But it seems to me that things are already given.” Monsignor also clarified that the final scrutiny remains as it will be the people who say if he is re-elected or not.
Thus far, the public transportation sector, the executive director of the Salvadoran Association of Industrialists, and the chamber of construction president have spoken out in favor of Bukele’s re-election.
Escobar Alas also referred to President Bukele’s speech before the United Nations (UN); he considers that it is correct for the Salvadoran President to ask for respect for the country.
“Although El Salvador is no longer a colony, there are similar attitudes, of the more developed nations relative to poor countries,” said Alas.
