Togo’s National Assembly unanimously elected Jean-Lucien Savi de Tové, 85, as President of the Republic over the weekend, marking a pivotal moment in the country’s shift to a parliamentary system of governance. The vote followed recent constitutional reforms that significantly reduced presidential powers, transferring executive authority to the newly established President of the Council of Ministers, a post now held by Faure Gnassingbé, Togo’s long-serving head of state.
Savi de Tové, a veteran diplomat and former commerce minister, received all 150 votes from members of Parliament and the Senate during a joint session. He was immediately sworn in, becoming the first figure to assume the redefined ceremonial presidency under the new system. A respected elder statesman, Savi de Tové held senior positions in Togo’s government dating back to the 1960s, including Secretary General at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and served as Minister of Commerce, Industry and Crafts from 2005 to 2007. His nomination was formally backed by the ruling Union for the Republic (UNIR) party, which dominates both legislative chambers.
Under the revised Constitution adopted in April 2025, the President of the Republic now serves a largely symbolic role for a renewable four-year term, acting as a unifying national figure and head of protocol in foreign affairs. Real political authority, including governance and administration, resides with the President of the Council, chosen by the parliamentary majority. Observers say the election formalizes Togo’s transformation into a parliamentary republic, a move seen as consolidating power around President Gnassingbé while introducing a constitutional framework that diffuses direct presidential control. Critics, however, have expressed concern that the reforms may entrench the current leadership under the guise of institutional modernization.
