Togo : The New Constitutional law now promulgated
President of the Republic, Head of State, Faure Essozimna GNASSINGBE, on Monday, May 6, proceeded with the promulgation of the law revising the Togolese constitution, thereby facilitating its entry into force in Togo.
This comes two weeks after its adoption in the second reading at the National Assembly by the elected representatives of the people. Among the reforms brought to this fundamental law, is the abolition of the direct universal suffrage presidential election. It is now the parliament that has the power to elect the head of state « without debate », for a term of four (04) years renewable once.
This constitutional law transitions Togo from Faure GNASSINGBE’s semi-presidential regime to a parliamentary regime and creates a new position at the head of the country, that of the President of the Council of Ministers, who will be the guarantor of the executive power, stemming from the majority in the National Assembly or from a minority party in a coalition.
According to the actors of this constitutional reform, this is a way to significantly reduce the costs of elections in general in Togo. Furthermore, the new constitution will, among other things, strengthen democracy in the country, ensure better protection of citizens’ rights and freedoms, establish a balance of powers, and make institutions more efficient and representative.
It should also be noted that with the promulgation of this fundamental law, Togo has entered into a new Republic, transitioning from the 4th to the 5th Republic.
