Nuevas Ideas wins in El Salvador boost Bukele’s power

Significance

Bukele looks set to go from having minimal legislative backing, with no NI representatives in parliament, to controlling the chamber and advancing his agenda with limited opposition. NI also performed well in municipal and Parlamento Centroamericano (Central American Parliament, Parlacen) elections, taking dozens of mayorships and a projected 14 of El Salvador's 20 Parlacen seats.

Impacts

• Observers’ rejection of pre-electoral voter fraud claims will bolster the legitimacy of the results.
• Tensions between the executive and the judiciary may increase now that the president controls the legislature.
• Any sharp increase in political tensions or violence is likely to draw US attention and could weigh on bilateral relations.