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FIA President Proposes Removal of Presidential Term Limits

5/28/2026, 12:46:34 AM

Core Proposal: Eliminating Term Limits for the FIA Presidency

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has put forward a statutory amendment that would abolish the existing term-limit framework for the organisation’s top post. Under the current statutes, a presidential term lasts four years and a holder may be re-elected twice, capping service at three terms (12 years). The proposed change would allow the president to serve beyond this 12-year ceiling. The amendment will be debated and voted on at the FIA General Assembly scheduled for next month, and members are expected to approve it.

Background: Current Limits and the 2023 Election Quirk

The FIA’s governing rules presently restrict the presidency to a maximum of three four-year terms. In December, Ben Sulayem was re-elected unopposed because a procedural quirk in the election rules barred any other candidate from standing. This circumstance left the incumbent in office for a second consecutive term, prompting the move to align presidential tenure with the “consistent approach to tenure” that already applies to the FIA’s world councils and senate.

Key Figure: Mohammed Ben Sulayem

Age: 64 years

Nationality: Emirati

Position: President of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA)

Re-election: Unopposed in December 2023 due to the aforementioned election rule limitation

Data & Statistics

Current presidential term length: 4 years

Maximum allowable terms under existing rules: 3 (total 12 years)

Proposed change: Removal of the term-limit provision, permitting indefinite tenure subject to election outcomes

Age of incumbent: 64 years

Official Statements & Responses

An FIA spokesperson explained that the amendment seeks “to establish a consistent approach to tenure across all FIA bodies, similar to what currently exists for the world councils and the senate.” The spokesperson added that the proposal “is subject to approval by the World Councils and by the General Assembly” and emphasized that “FIA bodies retain full authority to democratically elect officeholders.” These remarks frame the amendment as a procedural alignment rather than a shift in democratic practice.

Verbatim Quotes

“A proposal has been put forward to establish a consistent approach to tenure across all FIA bodies, similar to what currently exists for the world councils and the senate.” — FIA spokesperson

“The proposal is subject to approval by the World Councils and by the General Assembly.” — FIA spokesperson

Why It Matters: Potential Impact of the Change

Eliminating term limits would enable the current president to remain in office beyond the 12-year cap, potentially shaping the FIA’s strategic direction for an extended period. Aligning presidential tenure with that of other FIA entities could simplify governance structures, but it also raises questions about the balance between continuity and periodic leadership renewal.

What’s Next: Upcoming General Assembly Vote

The amendment will be presented at the FIA General Assembly next month. According to the spokesperson, members are expected to endorse the proposal, which would formally remove the presidential term-limit restriction. The outcome will determine whether Ben Sulayem can seek re-election indefinitely, subject to the FIA’s democratic processes.