China scraps two-term limit, makes Xi President for life
In a landmark vote, the Chinese parliament on Sunday abolished the two-term limit for its President and Vice-President after the country's parliament vote for a constitutional amendment in this regard. This will allow Xi Jinping to continue as president indefinitely. The National People's Congress (NPC), often known as rubber-stamp parliament, unanimously approved the amendment, with 2,958 voting in favor, two against and three abstaining.
'Amendment will remove hurdle for Xi to become leader-for-life'
NPC Chairman Zhang Dejiang said, "Every one of us on the NPC Standing Committee approves and supports amending Constitution." The constitutional amendment will remove the hurdle for 64-year-old Xi to become leader of China for life. He is currently in his second five-year term and due to retire in 2023 under the current two-term system.
Xi already considered most powerful leader of China
Xi Jinping is already considered as the most powerful leader of China after Mao as he held the posts of head of the CPC, the military and the Presidency, which is mostly ceremonial.
NPC to endorse another constitutional amendment on 'Jinping Thought'
The NPC was also expected to endorse another draft constitutional amendment to enshrine 'Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era' in the fundamental law. This would make Xi the only leader after Mao and Deng Xiaoping whose thoughts were written into the Constitution. The draft suggests Jinping Thought as a new guiding theory in the preamble of the Constitution.
