Zimbabwe’s Parliament has approved sweeping constitutional amendments that will extend the presidential and parliamentary terms from five to seven years, paving the way for President Emmerson Mnangagwa to remain in office until 2030.

The National Assembly passed the bill by 226 votes to 41 after adopting changes earlier approved by the Senate. The legislation now awaits Mnangagwa’s assent to become law.

The amendments also abolish direct presidential elections, giving Parliament the power to appoint the president. Opposition figures have condemned the reforms as a “constitutional coup,” arguing they could entrench the ruling ZANU-PF’s grip on power and allow future presidents to secure fresh seven-year terms without a direct mandate from voters.

Mnangagwa, 83, came to power in 2017 after the military-backed removal of longtime leader Robert Mugabe.