Togo Elects Jean-Lucien Savi de Tové as First President Under New Parliamentary System.

In May 2025, the Parliament of Togo (Togolese Republic), a West African nation, unanimously elected Jean-Lucien Kwassi Lanyo Savi de Tové as the country’s first President under its new parliamentary system. He was chosen by all 150 members present in the bicameral Parliament, which comprises a total of 174 seats across the National Assembly and the Senate, for a four-year ceremonial term.

      - This historic election follows a major constitutional reform enacted in May 2024, which transitioned Togo from a semi-presidential system to a parliamentary form of governance. The reform aimed to distribute political power more broadly and redefine the structure of executive leadership.

      - Jean-Lucien Savi de Tové succeeded Faure Gnassingbé, who previously served as Togo’s long-time president. Under the new system, Faure Gnassingbé was sworn in as the Chairman of the Council of Ministers, a newly established role that now holds the highest executive authority in the country.

      - Jean-Lucien Savi de Tové has had a long and influential political career. His public service began in 1967 when he was appointed Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs following a military coup. This marked his entry into national politics.

Main Point :-   (i) With the legalization of multiparty democracy in Togo, Savi de Tové went on to found the Party of Democrats for Unity (PDU). In 1999, the PDU merged into the Pan-African Patriotic Convergence (CPP), where he served as first vice-president, continuing his commitment to democratic governance.

      (ii) From 2005 to 2007, he served as Minister of Trade, Industry, and Handicrafts, under the leadership of Prime Ministers Edem Kodjo and Vawovi Agboyibo. Later, in 2009, he was appointed as President of the Permanent Framework for Dialogue and Consultation (CPDC), further contributing to national policy dialogue and political reform.

(iii) Under the new parliamentary system, the President of the Republic holds a ceremonial role and is elected by Parliament for a renewable four-year term, while executive power rests with the Chairman of the Council of Ministers, who is chosen from the majority party or coalition. The Chairman serves a six-year term, overseeing both domestic and international affairs. A 12-month transition period allowed the outgoing president to retain executive powers until the new system came into full effect.
About Togo (Togolese Republic)