Not anywhere is it prescribed at what age politicians must retire. In fact, it would seem that most politicians, once they have power, they want to keep it forever.
We have seen this in the "Arab Spring" uprisings where politicians, who in fact have become dictators, have been in power for more than 30 or 40 years. In some instances, with the help of the army, re-elections have been completely suppressed.
Thankfully this is not always the case. However, repeatedly we are faced with such instances, of old people hanging on to power, some of whom have accumulated and been elected to several mandates.
The example of Berlusconi in Italy springs to mind. Likewise we also have Sepp Blatter the President of FIFA, who has been a leading light in the organisation for more than 30 years and is still cleaning-up suspected fraud. There have been Popes and Politicians and other leading lights in public life who have long passed the age of 75 and who are no longer "young" men !!!
When the majority of people reach the age of 70 or 75 they no longer have the reflexes or strength of youth. They have experience but less patience !!! They in fact no longer reflect or understand the feelings or requirements of the average younger man.
This does not mean that older people have nothing left to offer. They do have a greater perspective of life and its problems, just like Grandparents or elder Statesmen. The advice such people can offer does not necessarily mean they must be "elected" or occupy permanently a role more suited for a younger person. Also, the advice of older people is not always necessarily "right" !!!
The real problem is "What group of politicians would be prepared to propose an age limit for political re-election or service ?" Where does one start ?
Here in France Arnaud Montebourg, recent candidate in the Socialist primary election, this week proposed an age limit of 67, for Socialist candidates in the next General Election in 2012. Could this be a start ?
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