US expresses concerns on El Salvador's new Congress' vote to remove judges

The vote by El Salvador's new congress to remove the magistrates from the Supreme Court's constitutional chamber and the attorney general over the very first day of the newly elected legislature has caused concern and condemnation from international groups and the United States.

US Secretary of State Antony J Blinken spoke to Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele on Sunday about the previous day's vote, saying an independent judiciary is essential for a democratic government, the State Department said.

Bukele's New Ideas party won 56 of the 84 seats in the Legislative Assembly in February, pushing aside the country's traditional parties, which have already been weakened by corruption scandals.

The predominant election performance expressed concern that Bukele would want to change the court, which along with the previous congress were the only obstacles facing the very popular leader. The vote Saturday to remove the five magistrates was 64 lawmakers, 19 against and one did not vote.