Term Limits

Explanation

Term limits prevent leaders from holding the same office indefinitely by capping the number of terms or total years they can serve. The United States limits presidents to two four-year terms (since the 22nd Amendment). Mexico limits presidents to one six-year term; France has no presidential term limits but holds elections every five years. Proponents argue term limits prevent entrenchment of power and bring fresh leadership. Critics argue they remove experienced leaders from office and can shift power to unelected advisors and bureaucrats who face no such limits. Several authoritarian leaders have removed term limits to extend their rule — most notably China's Xi Jinping in 2018.