32 Countries Implement a Minimum Presidential Candidate Age of 35: The List

The minimum age requirement for presidential and vice-presidential candidates in Indonesia became controversial in the lead-up to the 2024 General Election.

Previously, Article 169(q) of Law No. 7 of 2017 stipulated that a requirement for becoming a presidential or vice-presidential candidate was to "be at least 40 years old."

However, before the 2024 election, this rule was challenged by several parties in the Constitutional Court (MK), including Almas Tsaqibbirru, a law student from the University of Surakarta (UNSA).

In his lawsuit, Almas argued that many elected regional heads under 40 years old had performed well.

Almas also stated, "The constitution should not limit the constitutional rights of our youth to run for president and vice-president based on age limits."

The Constitutional Court partially granted Almas's lawsuit.

In Decision Number 90/PUU-XXI/2023, the MK stated that Article 169(q) of Law No. 7 of 2017 concerning the minimum age of presidential and vice-presidential candidates was amended to: "Be at least 40 years old or have previously/currently held a position elected through a general election, including regional head elections."

Although the minimum age was not changed, the MK's decision paved the way for younger presidential and vice-presidential candidates, provided they have previously held a public office elected through a general election, including regional heads.

Young Presidential Candidates are Common in Many Countries

Young leaders are not uncommon. Currently, 32 countries have constitutions that allow citizens under 40 to run for president.

The following is a list of countries with a minimum presidential age of 35, based on data presented by the MK in Decision Number 90/PUU-XXI/2023:

Europe:

1. Austria
2. Poland
3. Ukraine
4. Ireland
5. Belarus
6. Romania
7. Russia
8. Iceland
9. Armenia
10. Hungary
11. Cyprus

Americas:

1. United States
2. Mexico
3. Uruguay
4. Panama
5. Peru
6. Cuba

Asia:

1. Uzbekistan
2. Maldives
3. Kyrgyzstan
4. Timor-Leste
5. Bangladesh
6. India

Africa:

1. Cameroon
2. Angola
3. Tunisia
4. Zambia
5. Ivory Coast
6. Madagascar
7. Niger
8. Senegal
9. Togo

"Comparing with other countries, there are many presidents or vice-presidents who were under 40 years old when they were first inaugurated/took office, including Gabriel Boric, President of Chile, inaugurated at age 35, Vjosa Osmani, President of Kosovo, inaugurated at age 38, and Emmanuel Macron, President of France, inaugurated at age 39," the MK stated in its decision.

"Even the United States, which is often a reference for the implementation of a democratic system of government, explicitly stipulates in its constitution that a presidential candidate must be at least 35 years old," it continued.