---
title: "Sexenio — AP Comp Gov Definition & Exam Guide"
description: "Sexenio is Mexico's single six-year presidential term with no re-election, a strict term limit designed to block personality rule. Key for AP Comp Gov Unit 2."
canonical: "https://fiveable.me/ap-comp-gov/key-terms/sexenio"
type: "key-term"
subject: "AP Comparative Government"
unit: "Unit 2"
---

# Sexenio — AP Comp Gov Definition & Exam Guide

## Definition

The sexenio is Mexico's constitutional rule that a president serves one six-year term and can never be re-elected, the strictest executive term limit among the six AP Comparative Government course countries.

## What It Is

The sexenio is Mexico's presidential term structure. A president gets exactly one six-year term, and then they're done forever. No second term, no comeback later. This is written into Mexico's [constitution](/ap-comp-gov/key-terms/constitution "fv-autolink"), and it's the strictest executive term limit of any [AP Comp Gov](/ap-comp-gov "fv-autolink") course country.

Why so strict? Mexico's history. After decades of strongman rule (think Porfirio Díaz holding power for over 30 years), the post-revolutionary constitution banned presidential re-election entirely. The sexenio is Mexico's structural answer to [personality rule](/ap-comp-gov/key-terms/personality-rule "fv-autolink"): if no one can stay in office, no one can build a presidency around themselves. The trade-off is built right into the design. Even a popular, effective president has to walk away after six years, and every president becomes a lame duck the moment their successor's election cycle starts.

## Why It Matters

The sexenio lives in **[Topic 2.4](/ap-comp-gov/unit-2/executive-term-limits/study-guide/hG9oQSqRwjQtcrG8c8RP "fv-autolink"): Executive Term Limits** in **[Unit 2](/ap-comp-gov/unit-2 "fv-autolink"): Political Institutions**, supporting learning objective **2.4.A** (explain the structure, function, and change of executive leadership in course countries). The CED's essential knowledge (PAU-3.C.3) frames term limits as a trade-off, and the sexenio is the cleanest example of that trade-off in the whole course. On the advantage side, it checks executive power, blocks dictators and personality rule, and guarantees turnover and fresh leadership. On the disadvantage side, it forces good executives out, gives officeholders only six years to deliver, and creates a long lame-duck stretch. When the exam asks you to compare how course countries limit executive power, Mexico's one-and-done sexenio is your go-to contrast case.

## Connections

### Executive Term Limits across course countries (Unit 2)

The sexenio is one point on a spectrum. Nigeria allows two four-year terms, Mexico allows one six-year term, and a country like Iran has a [Supreme Leader](/ap-comp-gov/key-terms/supreme-leader "fv-autolink") with no term limit at all. Comparison questions love placing Mexico at the strict end of that spectrum.

### [Personality rule (Unit 2)](/ap-comp-gov/key-terms/personality-rule)

The sexenio exists specifically to prevent personality rule. If no president can ever run again, no president can turn the office into a personal vehicle. That's the cause-and-effect link the CED's essential knowledge points to.

### [Lame Duck Period (Unit 2)](/ap-comp-gov/key-terms/lame-duck-period)

Because every Mexican president is barred from re-election from day one, the lame-duck effect kicks in earlier and harder than in two-term systems. Power drains toward the incoming president well before the sexenio actually ends.

### [Supreme Leader (Unit 2)](/ap-comp-gov/key-terms/supreme-leader)

Iran's Supreme Leader serves for life with no term limit, making it the perfect foil to the sexenio. Pairing these two cases lets you argue both sides of the term-limit trade-off in a comparative FRQ.

## On the AP Exam

The sexenio shows up in two main ways. First, as a straight identification: multiple-choice stems ask for the term for Mexico's single six-year executive term, so know the word itself. Second, and more often, as a comparison. Questions ask how Mexico's term limit differs functionally from Nigeria's two-term limit, or what outcome the no-re-election rule prevents (the answer they're fishing for is usually personality rule or entrenched executive power). The term appeared on the 2018 short-answer questions (SAQ Q4), so College Board has tested it directly. For FRQs, don't just define it. Explain the why: connect the sexenio to checking executive power, and be ready to name a disadvantage like forced turnover of effective leaders or the lame-duck problem.

## sexenio vs Nigeria's two-term limit

Both are executive term limits, but they work differently. Nigeria's president can serve up to two four-year terms, which means they can run for re-election once and face voters mid-tenure. Mexico's president gets one six-year sexenio with zero re-election eligibility, so a Mexican president never campaigns for their own re-election. That's the functional difference exams target: the sexenio removes the re-election incentive entirely, while Nigeria's system keeps it for the first term.

## Key Takeaways

- The sexenio is Mexico's constitutional rule that the president serves one six-year term and can never be re-elected.
- It is the strictest executive term limit among the AP Comp Gov course countries and was designed to prevent dictatorship and personality rule.
- Per the CED (PAU-3.C.3), term limits like the sexenio check executive power and bring in new leaders, but they also force out effective presidents and limit time to achieve policy goals.
- Because re-election is impossible from day one, Mexican presidents face an especially pronounced lame-duck period late in their term.
- On comparison questions, contrast the sexenio with Nigeria's renewable two-term limit and Iran's Supreme Leader, who has no term limit at all.

## FAQs

### What is the sexenio in AP Comp Gov?

The sexenio is [Mexico](/ap-comp-gov/review-by-country/mexico/study-guide/kBdQHh6UAoZ9orsL "fv-autolink")'s presidential term structure, a single six-year term with no possibility of re-election, ever. It's the key Mexico example for Topic 2.4 on executive term limits.

### Can a Mexican president ever serve a second term?

No. The ban is absolute, not just on consecutive terms. Once a president's six-year sexenio ends, they are permanently ineligible for the presidency. That's what makes Mexico's rule stricter than most term limits.

### How is the sexenio different from Nigeria's term limits?

[Nigeria](/ap-comp-gov/review-by-country/nigeria/study-guide/4uuIc1WGkOGZPbz5 "fv-autolink") allows two four-year terms, so a Nigerian president can seek re-election once. Mexico allows one six-year term with no re-election at all, so a Mexican president never runs to keep their own job. Exam questions often test exactly this functional difference.

### Why did Mexico create the one-term sexenio?

To prevent any one leader from entrenching themselves in power after Mexico's experience with long-ruling strongmen. The no-re-election rule checks executive power and blocks personality rule, which the CED lists as the core advantages of term limits.

### Is the sexenio actually on the AP Comp Gov exam?

Yes. It falls under Topic 2.4 (Executive Term Limits) and learning objective 2.4.A, and it appeared on the 2018 short-answer questions. Multiple-choice items also ask you to identify the term and compare it to other countries' limits.

## Related Study Guides

- [2.4 Executive Term Limits](/ap-comp-gov/unit-2/executive-term-limits/study-guide/hG9oQSqRwjQtcrG8c8RP)

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