Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni securing a seventh term has spotlighted a critical aspect of governance: term limits for heads of state and government. Countries operate under presidential, parliamentary, or mixed systems, each with unique rules on leadership duration. This analysis breaks down how many times one person can serve as president or prime minister in select nations, drawing lessons from recent reforms and historical precedents.
In the US, the gold standard is two four-year terms, locked in by the 22nd Amendment after FDR’s four-term anomaly. France enforces two consecutive five-year terms post-2008 changes, which ended the possibility of gapped returns while shortening from seven years.
Russia’s eight-year terms, set in 2008, paired with 2020 constitutional tweaks that disregard pre-amendment service, extend Putin’s horizon to 2036. China’s 2018 abolition of limits marks a stark departure, enabling perpetual leadership under Xi.
Other examples include Iran’s two four-year terms (waivable in emergencies) and Brazil’s identical two-term structure. For prime ministers, India’s constitution sets no cap—service continues with majority support in the five-year Lok Sabha.
The UK demands no term ceiling for PMs, contingent on parliamentary trust and five-year election cycles. Canada mirrors this, holding elections every four years within a five-year Commons limit. Pakistan treats its presidency as ceremonial without rigid bounds, extending to PMs.
Germany’s chancellors, like Merkel over 16 years, and Israel’s post-reform unlimited PMs exemplify flexibility. These rules balance experience against entrenchment risks.
Museveni’s longevity amid no-limits systems contrasts sharply with capped models, fueling discussions on whether term restrictions foster true democracy or stifle effective governance. As nations evolve their constitutions, the global map of power tenure continues to shift.