When is a leader considered too old to lead the country?

2023-08-26 19:25:00, Sociale CNA

In today's world, people live longer and continue to be active in old age. Many politicians continue to govern many years past the age when people usually retire. On the eve of the presidential election in 2024, voters in the United States are faced with the two oldest presidential candidates in the country's history.

The leader of Cameroon, 90-year-old Paul Biya is the oldest leader in the world.

At a meeting of American and African leaders last year, he appeared slightly confused as an aide told him the audience was waiting for his speech.

Mr Biya has served as president for 40 years - parliament first extended his term and then removed the term limit entirely.

VOA interviewed Cameroonians hiding their faces to protect their identities for security reasons.

"We are led by an old man and that means he doesn't understand the problems of young people," says a Cameroonian woman.

"Regardless of whether you are 30 or 50 years old, everyone can finish their term and leave, not stay in office for decades as if they were a king. It's not good," says another Cameroonian.

At the age of 86, Pope Francis does not lead a country, but stands at the head of the world's Catholics.

Does age matter?

"I think it matters. However, I make an exception because he is a religious leader. Maybe I would be more concerned if it was about political figures,” says Karen Arias from Costa Rica.

"I think age means experience that people can use to serve others," says Sara Molano from Ecuador.

"Not only should the age of the leader be limited, but the age of the people advising him should be limited," says Melisa Galindo of Colombia.

Iran's supreme leader, 84-year-old Ali Khomeini, is the longest-serving leader in the Middle East since 1989. Iranian-Americans have these thoughts about him.

"In the regime of the Islamic Republic, age is not a problem, but the system," says Shirin Zand Vakili.

“Bota e shekullit 21 është botë e rinisë, dhe me dijen që ekziston sot, ata duhet të jenë në poste të rëndësishme,” thotë Jamshid Sedghi.

Në vitin 2024, Shtetet e Bashkuara mund të zgjedhin presidentin më të moshuar në historinë e vendit. Në ditën e zgjedhjeve, Presidenti Joe Biden do të jetë 81 vjeç, dhe Donald Trump, kandidati kryesor republikan, do të jetë 78 vjeç.

Të dy ata kanë shfaqur herë pas here shenjat e moshës në momente të caktuara.

Zëri i Amerikës pyeti disa nga votuesit më të rinj amerikanë, në kampusin e Universitetit të Karolinës së Veriut.

“Kur fillon të plakesh, fillojnë rreziqet e shumta shëndetësore dhe nuk është mirë që një udhëheqës botëror papritmas të vdesë, si për shembull nga ndonjë goditje në zemër...” thotë Alex Blake.

“Varet se sa mendje-hapur është udhëheqësi në fjalë,” thotë Bek Salivich.

A study published by Oxford University Press says that older leaders reinforce negative stereotypes about aging, but older leaders may surprise when they prove they are mentally and physically prepared for their positions./VOA