President Faure Gnassingbé’s Union for the Republic, Togo’s ruling party, has secured 34 out of 41 seats in the country’s newly formed Senate, per provisional results. The election, which took place on Saturday, saw municipal and regional councilors vote for 41 members of the 61-seat chamber. Gnassingbé will appoint the remaining 20 seats as a recently amended constitution grants him the power to elect one-third of the chamber. The constitutional amendment that created the Senate also shifts actual governing authority to a President of the Council of Ministers, with a six-year term that can be renewed indefinitely, leaving the President of the Republic largely ceremonial. Critics contend this change will enable Gnassingbé to extend his grip on power, especially since he could only contest for one final term under the old constitution. Meanwhile, some opposition parties boycotted the election, arguing that the Senate is unnecessary and only consolidates Gnassingbé’s power.
Source: Bloomberg