Togo’s lawmakers have embraced a new constitution, paving the way to transition from a presidential to a parliamentary system. The introduction of this constitutional change, spearheaded by members of the ruling party, marks a notable shift in the political landscape of Togo.
Under the new constitution’s provisions, lawmakers will assume the responsibility of electing the president of the republic for a single term of six years. A novel position termed “president of the council of ministers” has been established, endowed with comprehensive authority to manage governmental affairs. The occupant of this role will emerge from either the majority party leader or the leader of the victorious coalition following legislative elections. Their tenure will span six years.
However, the adoption of the new constitution has been met with skepticism from the opposition, which boycotted the previous legislative elections in 2018 and raised concerns about electoral irregularities. Consequently, the opposition finds itself underrepresented in the national assembly.
Despite the enactment of the new constitution, uncertainty looms regarding its implementation timeline. This ambiguity persists, even as Togo prepares for its upcoming parliamentary election on April 20th, coinciding with regional elections. With approximately 4.2 million registered voters, the outcome of these elections carries significant weight in shaping the nation’s future political landscape.
Togo’s political trajectory has long been characterized by the dominance of the Gnassingbe clan, which has wielded power since 1967. The transition to a parliamentary system signals a potential departure from this entrenched dynastic rule, offering hope for a more diversified and inclusive governance framework.
Source: AfricaNews
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