On paper, I agree with the decision. But in practice, all that this really done is ensure that those people who left and suddenly have nothing to come back to now have no reason to come back to the server. Regardless of the logic or maturity behind that. Maybe this could turn out to be ultimately for the best, but right now from the looks of it, this is something the community is against it.
At the bare minimum, recent older leaders should be able to have reserves, should the faction they just led fall apart, but lose them after at least 2 people come after you.