To count as out, the leader must make an official announcement by 11.59pm 31 December 2026 in their countries capitals time zone that they are leaving or intending to leave their role, or they have left their role for any reason.
Update 2026-02-20 (PST) (AI summary of creator comment): For leaders with elections: they must have left the role by the deadline (not just announced intention to leave). If a leader loses an election but remains in office during coalition negotiations, they do not count as "out" until they have actually left the role.
1,000Clarification. For leaders with elections, they must have left the role by that time. For example Chris Luxon could lose the election but if coalition negotiations take a long time he’ll remain in the role. @traders