After 19 years in power, Faure Gnassingbé, who succeeded his late father in 2005, is expected to assume the role of President of the Council, following his party’s landslide victory in the February 15 senatorial elections—a continuation of the dominant performance in last year’s legislative polls.
With the new parliamentary system established by the May 2024 constitutional reform, the ruling Union for the Republic (UNIR) has consolidated its grip on power, securing 108 of 113 seats in the National Assembly and 34 of 41 seats in the newly elected Senate, according to the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI).
Since Togo’s independence in 1960, the country has operated under a semi-presidential or presidential system.
However, the adoption of the new constitution has formalised the transition to a parliamentary democracy, where the President of the Council—rather than the President of the Republic will hold executive power.
Under this system, the Senate and National Assembly will be responsible for electing both the President of the Republic and the President of the Council, with the latter leading the government, setting national policy and maintaining control over security forces and the military.
As the leader of the majority party, Gnassingbé is widely expected to become President of the Council, allowing him to maintain de facto power over the nation’s governance.
Article 50 of the new constitution grants the President of the Council control over domestic and foreign policy, the armed forces, and the Council of Ministers.
While the ruling party celebrates what it calls a “true parliamentary democracy,” opposition groups, including the National Alliance for Change (ANC) and the Democratic Forces for the Republic (FDR), have boycotted the electoral process, denouncing the reforms as a power grab. The abolition of direct presidential elections, enshrined in Article 35, has been a major point of contention.
With the final formation of the Senate imminent, the country is set to officially transition to the new political framework, ensuring Faure Gnassingbé’s continued dominance in Togo’s political landscape.
SS/odl/ac/sf/lb/gik/gik/APA