Tensions are running high as June 10, the date of Israel’s presidential elections, approaches. Officials in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office have suggested postponing the elections or even abolishing the institution of the presidency altogether. However, given that officials were debating eliminating political institutions, the more fruitful discussion on political reform would be establishing term limits for its prime ministers. Such a measure would ensure that Israel’s leaders do not accumulate excessive power, promote more alteration in power and conform to democratic norms worldwide.

Knesset member Nitzan Horowitz (Meretz Party), a former prominent Channel 10 journalist, emphasized the importance of term limits when he told Al-Monitor, “Limiting the term of office of elected officials in senior executive positions for two consecutive terms is essential to proper administration functioning. Prime ministers or mayors have broad authority and power. An endless term may create degradation.”

Even within the government’s coalition there is support for this idea. HaBayit HaYehudi Chairwoman Ayelet Shaked’s office told Al-Monitor that she supports limiting the prime minister to only two terms. Anytime Knesset members from these parties on the opposite end of the political spectrum agree is especially noteworthy. Because of the upcoming presidential elections, others were hesitant to respond publicly on such an explosive issue, with Labor Party candidate and Knesset member Binyamin Ben-Eliezer declining to comment.

The threat of a leader becoming more arrogant with prolonged rule can be seen with Netanyahu’s push to reform or dissolve the presidency. Al-Monitor’s Mazal Mualem, Haaretz’s Yossi Verter and others contend that the reason behind Netanyahu’s move is due to his mistrust and personal feud with top Likud Party candidate Reuven Rivlin. It appears unlikely that Netanyahu would try to pull this stunt regarding such a key Israeli political institution if he were in his first term as prime minister, as excessive time in power causes leaders to believe they are above the rules of the political system.