Chad’s political landscape has been dramatically reshaped after its parliament overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment abolishing presidential term limits—a move that critics say could cement President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno’s grip on power for years, if not decades, to come. The decision, made on Friday, October 3, 2025, was pushed through both houses of parliament ten days earlier than originally scheduled, a move that has only heightened tensions in the already fractured political environment.
The amendment, introduced by Deby’s ruling Patriotic Salvation Movement (MPS), was passed by a resounding majority: 236 out of 257 lawmakers voted in favor, according to RFI and other international news outlets. The change replaces Chad’s previous five-year presidential term—renewable just once—with a new seven-year mandate that can be renewed indefinitely. The reform also extends parliamentary terms from four to six years and introduces a new post of deputy prime minister, while government members will now have their immunity from prosecution withdrawn.
But the vote itself was far from unanimous. Some 21 opposition members, including the National Rally of Chadian Democrats, staged a walkout in protest, refusing to take part in what they called an undemocratic process. Albert Pahimi Padacké, a leading opposition figure and former prime minister, condemned the vote’s timing and substance, telling reporters that moving the ballot up from its original October 13 date was designed to "bypass legislators and present them with a fait accompli." He didn’t mince words, labeling the amendment "unconstitutional and authoritarian."
Padacké’s concerns were echoed by other opposition leaders. Robert Gam, head of the opposition Socialist Party Without Borders (PSF), accused the government of steering Chad toward dynastic rule. Speaking to RFI from France, where he now lives after being detained for eight months without charge until June of this year, Gam said, "The government’s intention was simply to move toward a dynasty. The ruling party’s MPs are there to do the bidding of a dynasty. They simply support the ruling power, which comes as no surprise to us." For Gam and others, the rapid passage of the amendment is just the latest in a series of maneuvers designed to entrench the Deby family’s hold on power.
President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno came to power in 2021 after the battlefield death of his father, Idriss Deby Itno, who had ruled Chad for more than three decades. The younger Deby was initially installed as a transitional leader by a military council—a move that many, including international observers, saw as a military coup in all but name. In May 2024, Deby won a presidential election that was widely criticized by opposition groups as unfair and marred by irregularities. The main opposition party, the Transformers, dismissed the results as a "resounding failure."
The political rift has only deepened since then. Succes Masra, leader of the Transformers and a vocal critic of Deby, was sentenced to 20 years in prison in August 2025—a move his attorney and supporters described as a blatant manipulation of the judicial system to silence dissent. The opposition claims that the new constitutional changes effectively grant Deby two additional years in power immediately, since the new seven-year term takes effect at the next presidential election.
Supporters of the ruling MPS, however, have painted a very different picture. They claim the overwhelming parliamentary vote reflects "an unprecedented political and social consensus," as reported by RFI. They argue that the reforms will bring stability and continuity to a country that has long struggled with internal conflict, coups, and insurgencies. The new rules, they say, are necessary for Chad’s long-term development and security.
Yet, for many Chadians and international observers, the speed and manner in which the amendment was passed raise serious questions about the health of the nation’s democracy. The opposition has insisted that such fundamental changes to the constitution should be put to a national referendum, allowing the people—not just lawmakers loyal to the ruling party—to have their say. As Robert Gam put it, "The people of Chad are beginning to wake up. They are mobilised. We will fight with every means at our disposal to ensure that Chad can experience an era of true democracy."
The changes go beyond just the presidency. In addition to extending the president’s term and removing term limits, parliamentary terms will now last six years instead of four, and a new deputy prime minister position has been created. While government members will lose their immunity from prosecution, critics argue that the overall effect is to further concentrate power in the executive branch and the hands of the Deby family. The reinstatement of certain immunities for government officials, as reported by BBC, adds another layer of complexity to the evolving power dynamics in N’Djamena, Chad’s capital.
Chad’s recent history has been marked by military rule, disputed elections, and a steady erosion of democratic norms. The opposition’s repeated calls for a referendum on constitutional amendments have so far gone unheeded. Instead, the government has pressed forward with its agenda, using its parliamentary majority to push through sweeping changes with minimal input from dissenting voices. For many Chadians, this latest episode is a stark reminder of how power can be consolidated through legal—and legislative—means.
Popular dissent appears to be growing. Gam and other opposition leaders claim that, after four years of military rule and a contested return to civilian government, ordinary Chadians are increasingly frustrated with the status quo. Whether this frustration will translate into organized resistance or meaningful political change remains to be seen. For now, the government’s actions have set the stage for a prolonged period of one-party dominance, with President Deby at the helm for the foreseeable future.
As Chad moves forward under its newly amended constitution, the eyes of the world—and of its own people—remain fixed on what comes next. Will the government’s promises of stability and development materialize, or will the opposition’s warnings of creeping authoritarianism prove prophetic? One thing is certain: the stakes for Chad’s democracy have never been higher.