The president of the Republic of Botswana is the head of state and the head of government of Botswana, as well as the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, according to the Constitution of Botswana. Sir Seretse Khama was the prime minister from 1965 to 1966, however he later became president of Botswana, and as of 2024 there have been no prime ministers since.

Presidential term

The president is elected to a five-year term that runs concurrently with the term of the National Assembly. Previously, a president could be reelected any number of times. In 1997, under the second president, Quett Masire, term limits were imposed on the office for the first time. Since 1998, the president has been limited to a total of 10 years in office (equivalent to two full terms), whether successive or separated. The first president for whom the term limits applied was Festus Mogae, who was required to leave office for good in 2008. Each president gets a guaranteed pension.

Election

The president is elected by the members of the National Assembly following a general election. All candidates for the National Assembly declare whom they endorse for president when they lodge their nomination papers, and the candidate who receives a majority of endorsements from the elected members of the National Assembly is automatically elected. If no candidate receives a majority of endorsements, the National Assembly elects the president by simple majority, before it co-opts the specially elected members. If no president is elected after three ballots, or if the Speaker determines that no candidate has enough support to be elected, the legislature is automatically dissolved for fresh elections. In practice, the president is the leader of the majority party or alliance in the Assembly. Also, given the first-past-the-post system for the National Assembly, majority governments have been the rule in Botswana since independence.

Presidents of Botswana (1966–present)

{{legend||Botswana Democratic Party (BDP)|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}} {{legend|#FFBF00|Botswana National Front (BNF)|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}} Died in office

Lifespan timeline of presidents of Botswana

This is a graphical lifespan timeline of presidents of Botswana. The presidents are listed in order of office.