This study examines the constitutional amendments that extend or derogate the presidential term limit with regards to abuse of constitutional amendment power. In modern liberal democracies, the general norm is to restrain through the...
moreThis study examines the constitutional amendments that extend or derogate the presidential term limit with regards to abuse of constitutional amendment power. In modern liberal democracies, the general norm is to restrain through the presidents term limits even if they are elected by the people. Moreover, it seems by virtue of empirical data and comparative country examples that the term limits are necessary for a sustainable democracy. However, in some countries, presidents encouraged constitutional amendments which aimed to derogate or extend the term limits. The leaders of these countries have defended that unrestrained re-election complies with democracy. However, the idea behind this endeavour usually be based on populism and an autocratic ruling
desire rather than a democratic and liberal constitutional idea, because it aims to hold a particular person on power. Therefore it is not compatible with democratic values. As a result, these constitutional amendments mostly mean to violate the constitutions by using constitutional methods. So, they are the practices of abusing of the power to make the constitutional amendment. In our study, initially, we examined why to put a limit on the presidential term is a necessity for constitutionalism which comprises of separation of powers, democracy and fundamental rights. Then we investigated which constitutional amending methods are used to remove the restrictions on the presidential terms
in the light of empirical data.
