Incumbent
The word "incumbent" is derived from the Latin verb incumbere, literally meaning "to lean or lay upon" with the present participle stem incumbent-, "leaning a variant of encumber,[1] while encumber is derived from the root cumber,[2] most appropriately defined: "To occupy obstructively or inconveniently; to block fill up with what hinders freedom of motion or action; to burden, load.[5] When newcomers look to fill an open office, voters tend to compare and contrast the candidates' qualifications, positions on political issues, and personal characteristics in a relatively straightforward way.Popularly known as the anti-incumbency factor, situations of this kind occur when the incumbent has proven themself not worthy of office during their tenure and the challengers demonstrate this to the voters.An anti-incumbency factor can also be responsible for bringing down incumbents who have been in office for many successive terms despite performance indicators, simply because the voters are convinced by the challengers of a need for change.It is also argued that the holders of extensively powerful offices are subject to immense pressure which leaves them politically impotent and unable to command enough public confidence for re-election; such is the case, for example, with the Presidency of France.
Countries that absolutely prohibit presidential re-election.
Countries that prohibit immediate presidential re-election, but allow more than one election to the presidential office (not consecutive).
Countries that allow immediate presidential re-election, but prohibit indefinite presidential re-election.
Slovakia, due to ambiguous information.
Countries that allow indefinite presidential re-election.
*: countries where, in addition to the president, there is the figure of prime minister
Incumbent (ecclesiastical)Re-election (Football League)officeelectionballotterm limitselectoral divisionUnited Stateselectionsname recognitioncampaign financefranking privilegesingle-member constituencylegislatureBritish Journal of Political Sciencepolitical polarizationJournal of Politicsoff-cycle electionscompetitionSophomore surgeAnti-incumbencyanti-incumbency factorPresidency of Franceeconomic shockPoujadist1956 French legislative electionList of current heads of state and governmentLists of office-holdersOutgoing politicianList of presidents who did not win reelectionRally 'round the flag effectVirtual incumbentOxford English Dictionary