Ecuador’s National Assembly has voted to pass a constitutional amendment that puts an end to presidential term limits.

The constitutional change, which opponents feel is a way for President Rafael Correa to strengthen his power, will take effect in 2021.

As the BBC reports, Correa, who has been in office since 2007, says that he does not intend to run for reelection in 2017.

The change regarding the rules for presidential reelection is one of several new reforms introduced in a package backed by the 52-year old leader. Other changes to the government include reforms regarding the role of the armed forces, and changes affecting media and labor relations.

Although the opposition party boycotted the session in protest, Correa's coalition still had enough votes to approve 15 amendments to the constitution.

Other left-leaning Latin American governments, such as Venezuela and Nicaragua, have previously amended their own constitutions to allow for the indefinite reelection of a president.

Protests followed the news of the change to Ecuador's constitution. The Guardian reports that hours after the results of the vote emerged, protesters in the capital city of Quito burned tires, wielded sticks and battled with riot police. There were demonstrations in the cities of Guayaquil and Cuenca as well.

Luis Fernando Torres, a congressman from the opposition party, called the vote a constitutional fraud, citing the fact that congress had approved the reforms without a referendum.

Cesar Ricaurte, the director of the freedom watchdog group Fundamedios, said that the reforms emulated Russian President Vladimir Putin’s leadership strategies.

“There’s a political game here, in the style of Russia’s Putin,” he said.

Under the amended constitution, communications will now be classified as a “public service.” This leads Ricaurte to fear that Correa’s administration will potentially have unchecked control over every aspect of the media.