France, Sept. 20 -- Chad is a step closer to allowing the president to serve an unlimited number of terms after the lower house of parliament signed off on major constitutional changes this week. Opposition figures told RFI that the move, which could help keep PresidentMahamat Idriss Deby in power, presents a fundamental threat to democracy.

Chad's revised constitution was overwhelmingly approved by the National Assembly on Monday and is due for a final vote by the Senate on 13 October. If it passes there too, then the president will sign the constitution into law.

Among other changes, the reform extends the president's term from five to seven years, renewable without limit.

Malloum Yoboide Djeraki, head of the oppositionSocial Democra...