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Lawmakers in Chad have voted overwhelmingly in favor of a controversial constitutional amendment that would significantly expand presidential powers by extending the duration of presidential terms and removing limits on re-election.
The proposed reform, championed by the ruling Patriotic Salvation Movement, passed the lower house with 171 votes in favor, only one vote against, and no abstentions. The measure will now be reviewed by the Senate on October 13, where it must secure three-fifths approval before becoming law.
Key Features of the Amendment
If adopted, the reform will reshape Chad’s political framework in several major ways:
Extended Terms: Presidential mandates will increase from five years to seven years.
Unlimited Re-Election: Current restrictions of two consecutive terms will be lifted, effectively allowing the presidency to be held indefinitely.
New Deputy Prime Minister Role: The amendment introduces the creation of a deputy prime minister’s office, adding another tier to the executive branch.
Accountability Measures: Cabinet ministers will lose immunity from prosecution, enabling courts to pursue officials accused of economic and financial crimes while in office.
“This vote constitutes a consideration and not an immediate amendment to the constitution,” explained Ali Kolotou, Speaker of the National Assembly, emphasizing that the process still requires Senate endorsement.
The amendment comes at a pivotal moment in Chad’s political transition. President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno assumed power in 2021 following the death of his father, Idriss Déby, who had ruled for more than three decades. Initially named transitional leader by the military, Mahamat Déby later secured victory in the May 2024 presidential election, following a constitutional referendum.
Critics argue that the reform risks entrenching presidential authority in a country already accustomed to long-serving rulers. Supporters, however, claim the changes are necessary to stabilize governance and strengthen accountability mechanisms within the executive.
While the National Assembly’s near-unanimous approval signals strong backing from the ruling coalition, attention now turns to the Senate, where a formal decision will be made in October. Should the measure pass, Chad’s presidency will shift to a seven-year, unlimited mandate, an arrangement that could reshape the nation’s political trajectory for decades to come.