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List of political term limits

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This is a list of term limits for heads of state, heads of government and other notable public office holders by country.

Africa

[edit]
Country Head of state/government Other
Title Maximum number of terms Office Maximum number of terms
 Algeria President Two 5-year terms, since 2016 constitution reform
 Angola President Two 5-year terms, since 2021 constitution reform
 Benin President Two 5-year terms, since 1956 constitution reform
 Botswana President Two 5-year terms, since 1996 constitution reform
 Burkina Faso President No set terms (transitional)
 Burundi President Two 7-year terms, since 2018 constitutional reform
 Chad President No set terms (transitional)
 Cameroon President Unlimited 7-year terms, since 2008 constitutional reform
 Cape Verde President Two 5-year terms, third term only after 5 years Prime Minister No term limits
 Central African Republic President Unlimited 7-year terms, since 2023 constitutional referendum
 Comoros President Two 5-year terms, since 2019 constitutional reform
 Côte d’Ivoire President Two 5-year terms, since 2016 constitutional reform
 Democratic Republic of the Congo President Two 5-year terms, since 2005 constitutional referendum
 Republic of the Congo President Three 5-year terms, since 2015 constitutional referendum
 Djibouti President Unlimited 5-year terms, since 2010 constitutional reform
 Egypt President Two 6-year terms, since 2019 constitutional referendum Prime Minister No term limits
 Equatorial Guinea President Two 7-year terms, since 2011 constitutional reform
 Eritrea President Two 5-year terms, as per unenforced constitution (no set terms in practice)
 Eswatini King No set terms (hereditary succession) Prime Minister Unlimited 5-year terms, since 2005 constitutional reform
 Ethiopia President Two 6-year terms, since 1987 constitutional reform Prime Minister No term limits
 Gabon President No set terms (transitional)
 Ghana President Two 4-year terms, since 1992 constitutional referendum
 Gambia President Unlimited 5-year terms, since 1996 constitutional reform
 Guinea President No set terms (transitional) Prime Minister No term limits
 Guinea-Bissau President Two 5-year terms, as per the 1996 constitution reform. Prime Minister No term limits
 Kenya President Two 5-year terms, since 2010 Constitution (except after succeeding to the Presidency and serving for more than two and a half years, in which case only one subsequent five-year term is permitted) Deputy President Two 5-year terms, since 2010 Constitution (except after succeeding to the Deputy Presidency and serving for more than two and a half years, in which case only one subsequent five-year term is permitted)
 Lesotho King No set terms (hereditary succession) Prime Minister Unlimited 5-year terms, since 1998 constitutional reform
 Liberia President Two 6-year terms, since 1986 constitutional referendum
 Libya Presidential Council No set terms (transitional)
 Madagascar President Two 5-year terms, since 1992 constitutional referendum
 Malawi President Two 5-year terms, since 1995 constitutional referendum
 Mali President No set terms (transitional)
 Mauritania President Two 5-year terms, since 1991 constitutional referendum
 Mauritius President Unlimited 5-year terms, since 1991 constitutional reform Prime Minister No term limits
 Morocco King No set terms (hereditary succession) Prime Minister Unlimited 5-year terms, since 2011 constitutional reform
 Mozambique President Two 5-year terms, since 2004 constitutional reform
 Namibia President Two 5-year terms, since 1999 constitutional reform
 Niger President No set terms (transitional)
 Nigeria President Two 4-year terms, since 1999 constitutional reform
 Rwanda President Two 5-year terms, since 2015 constitutional reform
 São Tomé and Príncipe President Two 5-year terms, since 2003 constitution reform Prime Minister No term limits
 Senegal President Two 5-year terms, since 2016 constitutional reform
 Seychelles President Two 5-year terms, since 2016 constitutional reform
 Sierra Leone President Two 5-year terms, since 1991 constitutional referendum
 Somalia President Two 5-year terms, since 1991 constitutional referendum
 South Africa President Two 5-year terms, since 1996 constitutional referendum
 South Sudan President Unlimited 4-year terms
 Sudan President No set terms (transitional)
 Tanzania President Two 5-year terms, since 1977 constitutional reform
 Togo President Two 5-year terms, since 2019 constitutional reform
 Tunisia President Two 5-year terms, since 2014 constitutional referendum
 Uganda President Unlimited 5-year terms, since 2005 constitutional reform
 Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic President No set terms (in exile)
 Zambia President Two 5-year terms, since 2006 constitutional reform
 Zimbabwe President Two 5-year terms, since 2013 constitutional referendum

Americas

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Country Head of state/government Other
Title Maximum number of terms Office Maximum number of terms
 Argentina President Two consecutive 4-year terms Vice President Two consecutive 4-year terms
Senators Unlimited 6-year terms
Deputies Unlimited 4-year terms
 Barbados President Two 4-year terms Prime Minister No directly set terms; however, they must maintain the support of the House of Assembly, which has a term of five years
 Belize Monarch No set terms (hereditary succession) Prime Minister No directly set terms; however, they must maintain the support of the House of Representatives, which has a term of five years
Governor-General No set terms; appointed by monarch on the advice of the Prime Minister.
 Bolivia President Two 5-year terms, since 2023[1] Vice President Unlimited 5-year terms
 Brazil President Two consecutive 4-year terms Vice President Two consecutive 4-year terms
 Canada Monarch No set terms (hereditary succession) Prime Minister No directly set terms, but the Prime Minister must maintain the support of the House of Commons, which by statute has a term of four years
Governor General No set terms; appointed by monarch on the advice of the Prime Minister. Traditionally serves for one 5-year term alternating between Anglophone and Francophone appointees.
Lieutenant Governor (provincial) No set terms; appointed by monarch on the advice of the Prime Minister. Traditionally serves for at least one 5-year term. Premier (provincial/territorial) No directly set terms, but Premiers must maintain the support of their respective provincial or territorial legislative assemblies, which have a term of five years
 Chile President Unlimited non-consecutive 4-year terms
 Colombia President One 4-year term Vice President One 4-year term
 Costa Rica President Unlimited non-consecutive 4-year terms
 Cuba First Secretary Two 5-year terms Prime Minister Two 5-year terms
President
 Dominican Republic President Two 4-year terms Vice President Two 4-year terms
 Ecuador President Two 4-year terms Vice President Two 4-year terms
 El Salvador President Two 5-year terms (Bukele's political reforms) Vice President One 5-year term
 Guatemala President One 4-year term Vice President Unlimited non-consecutive 4-year terms
 Guyana President Two 5-year terms
 Haiti President (Transitional)
 Honduras President Two 4-year terms Vice President Two 4-year terms
 Jamaica Monarch No set terms (hereditary succession) Prime Minister Unlimited 5-year terms
Governor-General No set terms; appointed by monarch on the advice of the Prime Minister.
 Mexico President One 6-year term (sexenio) Senate Two 6-year terms (since 2018)
 Nicaragua President Unlimited 5-year terms[2] Vice President Unlimited 5-year terms (Ortega's political reforms)
 Panama President Two non-consecutive 5-year terms Vice President Two non-consecutive 5-year terms
 Paraguay President One 5-year term Vice President One 5-year term
 Peru President Unlimited non-consecutive 5-year terms Vice President Unlimited non-consecutive 5-year terms
 Suriname President Unlimited 5-year terms Vice President Unlimited 5-year terms
 Trinidad and Tobago President Two 5-year terms Prime Minister Unlimited 5-year terms
 United States President Two 4-year terms, except after succeeding to the Presidency and serving more than two years, in which case only one subsequent four-year term is permitted. Eligibility of former term-limited presidents is unclear (see Twenty-second Amendment). Vice President Unlimited 4-year terms
Senators Unlimited 6-year terms
Representatives Unlimited 2-year terms
 Uruguay President Unlimited non-consecutive 5-year terms Vice President Unlimited non-consecutive 5-year terms
 Venezuela President Unlimited 6-year terms, since 2009 constitutional referendum Vice President No fixed terms

Asia

[edit]
Country Head of state Head of government/other
Title Maximum number of terms Office Maximum number of terms
 Armenia President One 7-year term Prime Minister No directly set terms; however, they must maintain the support of the National Assembly, which has a term of five years
 Azerbaijan President Unlimited 7-year terms
 Bangladesh President Two 5-year terms Prime Minister No term limits
 Cambodia King No set terms (hereditary succession) Prime Minister No term limits
 Georgia President Two terms: 6 years (current), 5 years (from 2024) Prime Minister No directly set terms
 Hong Kong Chief Executive Two consecutive 5-year terms
 India President Unlimited 5-year terms Prime Minister No directly set terms; however, they must maintain the support of the Indian Parliament, which has a term of five years
 Indonesia President Two 5-year terms Vice President Two 5-year terms
 Japan Emperor No set terms (hereditary succession) Prime Minister Unlimited 4-year terms
Member of the House of Councillors Unlimited 6-year terms
Member of the House of Representatives Unlimited 4-year terms
 Kazakhstan President One 7-year term (2022–present).

Two consecutive 5-year terms, with an exception for the first President (1991-2022).

 Kyrgyzstan President Two 5-year terms
 Laos General Secretary Unlimited 5-year terms Prime Minister Two 5-year terms
President Two 5-year terms
 Macau Chief Executive Two consecutive 5-year terms Legislative Assembly Unlimited 4-year terms
 Malaysia Monarch Unlimited 5-year terms, but because the post rotates among the nine sultans of the Malayan states, they are de facto unlimited non-consecutive 5-year terms. Prime Minister No term limits
 Maldives President Two 5-year terms, since 1998
 Mongolia President One 6-year term (Two 4-year terms until 2021) Prime Minister No directly set terms; however, they must maintain the support of the State Great Khural, which has a term of four years.
 North Korea General Secretary No set terms Premier Unlimited 5-year terms
President of State Affairs Unlimited 5-year terms
 Pakistan President Two 5-year terms Prime Minister No directly set terms; however, they must maintain the support of the Pakistan Parliament, which has a term of five years
 People's Republic of China General Secretary Unlimited 5-year terms Vice President Unlimited 5-year terms, since 2018 constitutional reform
President Unlimited 5-year terms, since 2018 constitutional reform Premier Two consecutive 5-year terms (Two consecutive terms of National People's Congress session)
 Philippines President One 6-year term Vice President Two consecutive 6-year terms
Senators Two consecutive 6-year terms
Representatives of the House Three consecutive 3-year terms
All other local government officials Three consecutive 3-year terms
 Russia President Two 6-year terms[3] Prime Minister No directly set terms; however, they must maintain the support of the President, who has a term of six years, as well as the support of the State Duma, which has a term of five years
 South Korea President One 5-year term Prime Minister No term limits
 Singapore President Unlimited 6-year terms Prime Minister No term limits
 Sri Lanka President Two 5-year terms since 2015 Prime Minister No term limits
 Republic of China President Two consecutive 4-year terms, since 1994[4][5] Vice President Same as the president
Members of the Legislative Yuan Unlimited 4-year terms since 2008[6]
County, city and township councilors, and village chiefs Unlimited 4-year terms[7]
County magistrates, and city and township mayors Two consecutive 4-year terms[8]
 Tajikistan President Two 7-year terms (Exception for Founder of peace and national Unity — Leader of the Nation)[9]
 Thailand Monarch No set terms (hereditary succession) Prime Minister Two 4-year terms
 Timor-Leste President Two 5-year terms Prime Minister No term limits
 Uzbekistan President Two 7-year terms, since 2023 constitutional reform
 Vietnam General Secretary Unlimited 5-year terms (in practice two 5-years terms) Vice President Unlimited 5-year terms (in practice two 5-years terms)
President Unlimited 5-year terms (in practice two 5-years terms) Prime Minister Unlimited 5-year terms (in practice two 5-years terms)

West Asia

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Country Head of state Head of government/other
Title Maximum number of terms Office Maximum number of terms
 Cyprus President Two consecutive 5-year terms
 Iraq President Two 4-year terms Prime Minister Unlimited 4-year terms
 Jordan King No set terms (hereditary succession) Prime Minister No directly set terms; however, they must maintain the support of the Jordanian Parliament, which has a term of four years
 Israel President One 7-year term Prime Minister Between 1948 and 1996, and since 2001: No directly set terms; however, they must maintain the support of the Knesset, which has an undefined term not exceeding four years
Between 1996 and 2001 (when the Prime Minister was directly elected): Unlimited undefined terms. Should these terms exceed seven years, the Prime Minister will not be eligible for immediate re-election
 Lebanon President Unlimited non-consecutive 6-year terms Prime Minister No directly set terms
 Syria President Two 7-year terms Prime Minister No directly set terms
 Turkey President Two 5-year terms[10] Grand National Assembly of Turkey Unlimited 5-year terms

Europe

[edit]
Country Head of state Head of government (if effectively supreme to a separate head of state) and other offices
Title Maximum number of terms Title Maximum number of terms
 Albania President Two 5-year terms Prime Minister No directly set terms; however, they must maintain the support of the Albanian Parliament, which has a term of four years
 Armenia President One 7-year term Prime Minister No directly set terms; however, they must maintain the support of the National Assembly, which has a term of five years
 Austria President Two consecutive 6-year terms Chancellor No directly set terms; however, they must maintain the support of the National Council, which has a term of five years
 Azerbaijan President Unlimited 7-year terms
 Belarus President Unlimited 5-year terms
 Belgium Monarch No set terms (hereditary succession) Prime Minister No directly set terms; however, they must maintain the support of the Chamber of Representatives, which has a term of five years
 Bosnia and Herzegovina Presidency members Two 4-year terms, reeligible after four years Chairman of the Council of Ministers (equivalent of Prime Minister) No directly set terms; however, they must maintain the support of the House of Representatives, which has a term of four years
 Bulgaria President Two 5-year terms Prime Minister No directly set terms; however, they must maintain the support of the National Assembly, which has a term of four years
 Croatia President Two 5-year terms Prime Minister No directly set terms; however, they must maintain the support of the Sabor, which has a term of four years
 Cyprus President Two 5-year terms
 Czech Republic President Two 5-year terms Prime Minister No directly set terms; however, they must maintain the support of the Chamber of Deputies, which has a term of four years
 Denmark Monarch No set terms (hereditary succession) Prime Minister No directly set terms; however, they must maintain the support of the Folketing, which has a term of four years
 Estonia President Two 5-year terms Prime Minister No directly set terms; however, they must maintain the support of the Riigikogu, which has a term of four years
 Finland President Two consecutive 6-year terms[11] Prime Minister No directly set terms; however, they must maintain the support of the Finnish Parliament, which has a term of four years
 France President Two consecutive terms: 5 years (2002–present), 7 years (1873–2002) Prime Minister No directly set terms; however, they must maintain the support of the National Assembly, which has a term of five years
 Georgia President Two terms: 6 years (current), 5 years (from 2024) Prime Minister No directly set terms
 Germany President Two consecutive 5-year terms Chancellor No directly set terms; however, they must maintain the support of the Bundestag, which has a term of four years
 Greece President Two 5-year terms Prime Minister No directly set terms; however, they must maintain the support of the Hellenic Parliament, which has a term of four years
 Hungary President Two 5-year terms Prime Minister No directly set terms; however, they must maintain the support of the National Assembly, which has a term of four years
 Iceland President Unlimited 4-year terms Prime Minister No directly set terms; however, they must maintain the support of the Althing, which has a term of four years
 Ireland President Two 7-year terms Taoiseach (equivalent of Prime Minister) No directly set terms; however, they must maintain the support of the Dáil, which has a term of five years
 Italy President Unlimited 7-year terms Prime Minister No directly set terms; however, they must maintain the support of both Houses of the Parliament, which have a term of five years
 Kazakhstan President One 7-year term (2022–present).

Two consecutive 5-year terms, with an exception for the first President (1991-2022).

 Kosovo President Two 5-year terms Prime Minister No directly set terms; however, they must maintain the support of the Assembly, which has a term of four years
 Latvia President Two 4-year terms Prime Minister No directly set terms; however, they must maintain the support of the Saeima, which has a term of four years
 Liechtenstein Monarch No set terms (hereditary succession) Prime Minister No directly set terms; however, they must maintain the support of the Landtag, which has a term of four years
 Lithuania President Two 5-year terms Prime Minister No directly set terms; however, they must maintain the support of the Seimas, which has a term of four years
 Luxembourg Monarch No set terms (hereditary succession) Prime Minister No directly set terms; however, they must maintain the support of the Chamber of Deputies, which has a term of five years
 Malta President One 5-year term Prime Minister No directly set terms; however, they must maintain the support of the Maltese Parliament, which has a term of five years
 Moldova President Two 4-year terms[12] Prime Minister No directly set terms; however, they must maintain the support of the Moldovan Parliament, which has a term of four years
 Montenegro President Two 5-year terms Prime Minister No directly set terms; however, they must maintain the support of the Montenegrin Parliament, which has a term of four years
 Netherlands Monarch No set terms (hereditary succession) Prime Minister Unlimited 4-year terms; however, they must maintain the support of the House of Representatives, which has a term of four years
 North Macedonia President Two 5-year terms Prime Minister No directly set terms; however, they must maintain the support of the Assembly of North Macedonia, which has a term of four years
 Norway Monarch No set terms (hereditary succession) Prime Minister No directly set terms; however, they must maintain the support of the Storting, which has a term of four years
 Poland President Two 5-year terms Prime Minister No directly set terms; however, they must maintain the support of the Sejm, which has a term of four years
 Portugal President Two consecutive 5-year terms Prime Minister No directly set terms; however, they must maintain the support of the Assembly of the Republic, which has a term of less than four years
 Romania President Two 5-year terms Prime Minister No directly set terms; however, they must maintain the support of the Chamber of Deputies, as well as the support of the Senate, both of which have a term of less than four years
 Russia President Two 6-year terms[13] Prime Minister No directly set terms; however, they must maintain the support of the President, who has a term of six years, as well as the support of the State Duma, which has a term of five years
 San Marino Captain-Regent Unlimited non-consecutive 6-month terms, but an outgoing Captain Regent of San Marino must wait for a minimum of three years until they can be elected again
 Serbia President Two 5-year terms Prime Minister No directly set terms; however, they must maintain the support of the National Assembly, which has a term of four years
 Slovakia President Two 5-year terms[14] Prime Minister No directly set terms; however, they must maintain the support of the National Council, which has a term of four years
 Slovenia President Two 5-year terms Prime Minister No directly set terms; however, they must maintain the support of the National Assembly, which has a term of four years
 Spain Monarch No set terms (hereditary succession) Prime Minister No directly set terms; however, they must maintain the support of the Congress of Deputies, which has a term of four years
 Sweden Monarch No set terms (hereditary succession) Prime Minister No directly set terms; however, they must maintain the support of the Riksdag, which has a term of four years
  Switzerland President of the Confederation Unlimited non-consecutive 1-year terms Federal Council Unlimited 4-year terms
 Turkey President Two 5-year terms[15] Grand National Assembly of Turkey Unlimited 5-year terms
 United Kingdom Monarch No set terms (hereditary succession) Prime Minister No directly set terms; however, they must maintain the support of the House of Commons, which has a term of five years
 Ukraine President Two 5-year terms Prime Minister No directly set terms; however, they must maintain the support of the Verkhovna Rada, which has a term of five years
 Vatican City Pope Lifetime term Cardinal Secretary of State No set term, he holds office as long as the pope who appointed him is in office/dismissed by the Pope/opts to retire
Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church Papal appointment, appointee holds office while Pope who appointed them is in office/dismissed by the Pope/opts to retire
Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State No set term, he holds office as long as the pope who appointed him is in office/dismissed by the Pope/opts to retire
Dean of the College of Cardinals Two 5-year terms/dismissed by the Pope/opts to retire
College of Cardinals Lifetime term; voting rights last until 80 years of age

Oceania

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Country Head of state Other
Title Maximum number of terms Office Maximum number of terms
 Australia Monarch No set terms (hereditary succession) Prime Minister No directly set terms; however, they must maintain the support of the House of Representatives, which has a term of three years
Governor-General No term limits, but traditionally serve for one 5-year term
 Federated States of Micronesia President Two 4-year terms Vice President Two 4-year terms
 Fiji President Two 3-year terms Prime Minister Unlimited 4-year terms
 Kiribati President Three 4-year terms Vice President Three 4-year terms
 Marshall Islands President Two 4-year terms
 New Zealand Monarch No set terms (hereditary succession) Prime Minister No directly set terms; however, they must maintain the support of the House of Representatives, which has a term of three years
Governor-General No term limits, but traditionally serve for one 5-year term
 Nauru President Two 3-year terms
 Palau President Two 4-year terms Vice President Two 4-year terms
 Papua New Guinea Monarch No set terms (hereditary succession) Prime Minister No directly set terms; however, they must maintain the support of the National Parliament, which has a term of five years
Governor-General Two 6-year terms
 Samoa Chief of State Two 5-year terms since 2019. Before 2019, the number of 5-year terms was unlimited; however, the first officeholder served for life Prime Minister Unlimited 5-year terms
 Solomon Islands Monarch No set terms (hereditary succession) Prime Minister No directly set terms; however, they must maintain the support of the National Parliament, which has a term of four years
Governor-General Two 5-year terms
 Tonga Monarch No set terms (hereditary succession) Prime Minister No directly set terms
 Tuvalu Monarch No set terms (hereditary succession) Prime Minister No directly set terms; however, they must maintain the support of the Tuvaluan Parliament, which has a term of four years
Governor-General No term limits
 Vanuatu President One 5-year term Prime Minister No directly set terms; however, they must maintain the support of the ni-Vanuatu Parliament, which has a term of four years

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "El Tribunal Constitucional de Bolivia anula la reelección indefinida e inhabilita a Evo Morales para las elecciones de 2025". BBC News Mundo. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  2. ^ "Nicaragua backs unlimited presidential terms". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 November 2014.
  3. ^ Constitution of the Russian Federation, Chapter 4, Article 81.3: "One and the same person may not be elected President of the Russian Federation for more than two terms"
  4. ^ Section 6 of Article 2 of the Additional Articles of the Constitution of the Republic of China
  5. ^ Two consecutive six-year terms from 1947 to 1994 under Article 47 of the Constitution of the Republic of China, but unlimited six-year terms from 1960 to 1991 as superseded by the Temporary Provisions Effective During the Period of Communist Rebellion
  6. ^ Article 4 of the Additional Articles of the Constitution of the Republic of China
  7. ^ Articles 33 and 59 of the Local Government Act
  8. ^ Articles 55, 56, and 57 of the Local Government Act
  9. ^ "Tajikistan parliament paves way for president to rule for life". The Guardian. Agence France-Presse. 22 January 2016. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 7 September 2016.
  10. ^ "Turks back direct president poll". BBC NEWS. 21 October 2007.
  11. ^ Constitution of Finland, Chapter 5, Section 54: "The same person may be elected President for no more than two consecutive terms of office"
  12. ^ Constitution of the Republic of Moldova, Article 80.4: "No person may discharge the duties of the President of the Republic of Moldova unless for two consecutive mandates at the most"
  13. ^ Constitution of the Russian Federation, Chapter 4, Article 81.3: "One and the same person may not be elected President of the Russian Federation for more than two terms"
  14. ^ Constitution of the Slovak Republic, Article 103.2: "The same person may be elected President for not more than two consecutive terms"
  15. ^ "Turks back direct president poll". BBC NEWS. 21 October 2007.

Sources

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