Togolese lawmakers have approved a new constitution, transitioning the country from a presidential to a parliamentary system.
Under the new constitution, parliament will elect the president for a single six-year term, without debate, instead of the public.
The change, supported by 89 votes in favor, one against, and one abstention, was proposed by a group of lawmakers, primarily from the ruling Union for the Republic (UNIR) party. The opposition, which boycotted the 2018 legislative elections, citing “irregularities” in the electoral process, has limited representation in the national assembly.
The transition to a parliamentary system comes shortly before the upcoming legislative elections in Togo. However, the timeline for implementing the constitutional change has not been announced. Currently, the president can serve up to two five-year terms.
The new constitution also introduces the position of “president of the council of ministers” with “full authority and power to manage the affairs of the government and to be held accountable accordingly”.
The president of the council of ministers is “the leader of the party or the leader of the majority coalition of parties following the legislative elections. The position will be held for a six-year term”, according to the text.
“The head of state is practically divested of his powers in favour of the president of the council of ministers, who becomes the person who represents the Togolese Republic abroad, and who effectively leads the country in its day-to-day management,” said Tchitchao Tchalim, chairman of the national assembly’s committee on constitutional laws, legislation and general administration.