Togo Elects New President
Jean-Lucien Savi de Tove Elected as New President of Togo
On Saturday, Jean-Lucien Savi de Tove was elected by the Togolese parliament to serve as the new president of Togo, as confirmed by the president’s office. This election marks a significant transition in the country’s political landscape, following the swearing-in of Faure Gnassingbe as the President of the Council of Ministers earlier that same day.
With a constitutional amendment that took effect in May 2024, Togo has transitioned from a semi-presidential system to a parliamentary one. Under the new framework, the president’s role is largely ceremonial and entails a four-year term, which can be renewed once. The recent reform also established the position of "President of the Council of Ministers," which is held by the leader of the political party or coalition that secures the majority of seats in parliamentary elections. This role comes with significant responsibilities, including a six-year mandate to oversee government operations.
The ruling party, the Union for the Republic, led by Gnassingbe, achieved a resounding victory in the April 2024 legislative elections, claiming 108 out of 113 seats in the newly formed National Assembly.
Jean-Lucien Savi de Tove, born in 1939, previously held the position of Togo’s minister of commerce, industry, and handicrafts from 2005 to 2007. His appointment as president signals a new chapter for Togo as it navigates the implications of its newly adopted parliamentary system.
