Taiwan News
Editorial
Date: 2015-10-22
By: Taiwan News, Staff Writer
Concentration of power in the hands of one person is never looked upon
kindly in a modern democracy, just like staying in power for too long.
In order to restrict the second practice, many countries introduced term limits. The United States wants its presidents to stay on for eight years at the maximum. Some Latin American countries, looking back at a history of powerful military dictators, sometimes just think one term in power is enough.
When introducing direct presidential elections in 1996, Taiwan followed the US example for both presidents and local mayors and county magistrates. Four years in one term, two consecutive terms as the maximum. This formula has never been contested, showing Taiwan’s political maturity. [FULL STORY]