Zimbabwe's parliament has approved sweeping constitutional amendments that would extend the presidential term from five to seven years, with the changes now awaiting only President Emmerson Mnangagwa's signature to become law. The National Assembly voted 226 to 41 to adopt the legislation, which also abolishes direct presidential elections in favour of parliamentary appointment — a system critics warn could allow Mnangagwa's ruling Zanu-PF party, which has governed the country since independence in 1980, to indefinitely renew its own mandate without returning to voters. The amendments have been condemned as a "constitutional coup" by opposition figures, who argue the changes will entrench Zanu-PF's hold on power and effectively keep the 83-year-old Mnangagwa in office until at least 2030.