Should Politicians Step Aside When Experiencing Physical or Mental Decline?

This is a question that seems straightforward: of course, they should. But as we see today, determining when a politician's decline is significant enough to step away from office is not that simple.

Who Determines the Point of Decline?

The point of decline should be clear and straightforward, but reality often complicates matters. It is clear that a strong and objective determination is needed, but who should make this decision? History has shown time and again that the political party involved often has a vested interest in such decisions.

Take recent examples like Justin Trudeau, Donald Trump, and other Western leaders of the past two decades. Their political parties have heavily influenced decisions about their fitness for office despite signs of decline.

The West’s Leadership Decline

The West has faced significant challenges due to the decline in leadership over the past 25 years. This trend shows no signs of improvement, highlighting the importance of addressing this issue before it becomes more problematic.

Reasons Why Legislation May Not Work

There are several reasons why a law requiring politicians to step aside when they experience physical or mental decline may not be effective:

Politician’s Ego: Politicians often do not want to admit their decline and continue to fight on, out of pride and a desire to stay in office.

Supporter’s Interests: Supporters may continue to back a declining politician in hopes of maximizing their gains during the politician's remaining time in office.

Party Politics: Political parties have a vested interest in keeping a particular politician in office to secure their vote, even if that politician is no longer fit for the job.

Deciding on Decline: A Personal View

My opinion is that politicians should step aside from office if they are no longer able to perform their duties regularly and attend meetings. In cases of mental decline, the nature of the decline and its effect on decision-making should be considered, along with the prognosis. For example, conditions like stroke or dementia should be taken seriously, with immediate action required if the decline in cognitive function is significant and the politician is unable to fulfill their responsibilities effectively.

For strokes that leave residual effects for six months, the prognosis for further recovery is often limited, making it wise to step down. Similarly, for dementia, the inexorable decline should lead to an early decision to retire from office, especially if the decline in cognitive function is rapid and significant.

Ultimately, while having a law in place sounds ideal, the reality is that many factors can complicate the process, making enforceable and fair determination of a politician's fitness for office challenging.