Should heads of state be held to the same ethical standards as ordinary citizens regarding financial conflicts of interest?

Context

Financial conflicts of interest occur when public officials' personal wealth or business ties could influence their decisions. The question of whether heads of state should face identical ethical standards as ordinary citizens touches on fundamental tensions: executive authority and national interest versus equal accountability under law. This debate has intensified as transparency advocates push back against exemptions historically granted to top leaders, while others argue that certain discretionary powers are inherent to the office.