The Longest-Serving President Has Governed for Over 45 Years — Putin Follows the Same Path and Trump Aims for Something Similar

Written by Romário Pereira de Carvalho

Published on 03/05/2025 at 08:06

Updated on 03/05/2025 at 08:07

Imagem ilustrativa: IA

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While Trump’s Allies Discuss Ways to Extend Their Time in Power, the World Has Seen Leaders Who Governed for Decades — Like Theodore Obiang, for 45 Years in Charge of Equatorial Guinea

Donald Trump’s recent remarks have reignited an old political debate in the United States: the limits for presidential re-election. After serving from 2017 to 2021, Trump returned to office last year. Now, even before finishing his second term, he is already considering ways to stay in power.

The Constitution of the United States, however, is clear. Under the 22nd Amendment, a president can only be elected twice. This prevents him from running again. Nevertheless, allies of the former president have suggested alternative paths.

Allies Suggest Returning as Vice

One of the strategies being discussed would be to launch Trump as a vice president on a future ticket. If the new president resigns, he could reclaim the position. This idea divides experts, as it is legally controversial, but fuels political discourse among his supporters.

ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW

Historical Examples of Remaining in Power

This attempt to circumvent constitutional limits is not new. Several leaders around the world have employed strategies to remain in power for decades.

One of the most well-known examples is Muammar Gaddafi, who ruled Libya for 42 years, from 1969 to 2011. He came to power through a military coup and maintained control with repression and a cult of personality. His regime fell after the Arab Spring in 2011.

Another case is Omar Bongo, who led Gabon for 42 years as well, from 1967 to 2009. His government was marked by clientelism, control of state resources, and electoral manipulation.

“These leaders consolidated their authority through a combination of political repression, cult of personality, and control of institutions — often manipulating laws and constitutions to eliminate term limits,” explains Ana Paula.

Stability Narrative as Justification

The professor emphasizes that often, the justification for remaining in power is the promise of stability. “Perpetuation in power often relies on a narrative of stability and continuity, but in practice, it weakens democracy and reduces the possibility of legitimate alternation,” she claims.

Who Has Been in Charge the Longest Today

Currently, the longest-serving president is Theodore Obiang of Equatorial Guinea, who has governed since 1979. He took power after overthrowing his uncle and governs by repressing opponents. His elections are frequently questioned by international observers.

Paul Biya of Cameroon has been in power since 1982. His tenure has been made possible by constitutional changes and repression of the opposition. Another name is Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, who has led since 1986 and has promoted legal changes to eliminate term and age limits.

Vladimir Putin also makes this list. He has been in power in Russia since 1999, alternating between president and prime minister. In 2020, he approved constitutional changes that could ensure his stay until 2036.

With information from Guia do Estudante.

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The Longest-Serving President Has Governed for Over 45 Years — Putin Follows the Same Path and Trump Aims for Something Similar

While Trump’s Allies Discuss Ways to Extend Their Time in Power, the World Has Seen Leaders Who Governed for Decades — Like Theodore Obiang, for 45 Years in Charge of Equatorial Guinea

Allies Suggest Returning as Vice

Historical Examples of Remaining in Power

Stability Narrative as Justification

Who Has Been in Charge the Longest Today

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The Longest-Serving President Has Governed for Over 45 Years — Putin Follows the Same Path and Trump Aims for Something Similar

While Trump’s Allies Discuss Ways to Extend Their Time in Power, the World Has Seen Leaders Who Governed for Decades — Like Theodore Obiang, for 45 Years in Charge of Equatorial Guinea

Allies Suggest Returning as Vice

Historical Examples of Remaining in Power

Stability Narrative as Justification

Who Has Been in Charge the Longest Today

A giant printer called the “Ferrari” of concrete has landed in Latin America and can already build a 120-square-meter house in just 48 hours, making the traditional construction site look like something from the last century.

Brazil will harvest a record crop of up to 357 million tons of grains, but it does not have the capacity to store a large part of it. The storage deficit has reached the highest level in history and is equivalent to almost the entire production of Argentina.

Four times faster than the Concorde, capable of taking passengers from New York to London in less than an hour at Mach 5.5, and with an engine that switches from turbojet to ramjet mid-flight at Mach 3.5, the Hermeus Quarterhorse went from paper to its first flight in just 19 months.

Under nearly 2 kilometers of ice in Antarctica, scientists have discovered an ancient landscape sculpted by rivers up to 60 million years ago, the size of Wales, preserved as a time capsule that could help predict the advance of ice towards the ocean.

She started by collecting oyster shells from restaurants and today she has already accumulated more than 10 tons to restore reefs, recover coastal habitats, and demonstrate how a common waste can become a tool for ocean conservation.

SpaceX will dock a $843 million vehicle to the International Space Station to push a nearly 420-ton laboratory against the atmosphere and make the debris fall in a controlled manner into the ocean.

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