World’s most powerful leaders


Vladimir Putin, Russia 		
Elected president	
2008-12 Prime minister	
2024: Current constitutional limit


Xi Jinping, China		
2013: Xi takes power, age 59	
2018: Two-term presidential limit repealed
Mao-style president for life?

Donald Trump, U.S.
2017: Takes office at age 70
2018: Mid-term elections
2024: Constitutional limit of two four-year terms

Kim Jong-un, North Korea
2011: Takes power at age 29 on death of Kim Jong-il
Supreme leader for life?

Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia
2017: Named Crown Prince at age 31, becomes de facto ruler 
Could rule for life?

Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey
2003-14: Prime minister
2014: Elected president
2029: Could rule for further decade if he wins 2019 election

Abdel Fatah al-Sisi, Egypt
2013: Led military coup
2014: Elected president
2022: 2022: Wins second four-year term in March 2018 election


2000 05 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45


Potential time in office


Sources: Bloomberg, Freedom House 
Pictures: Associated Press
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