Campaigning was rushed on the back of parliament’s approval of constitutional reforms that would allow lawmakers to elect the president instead of a direct vote by the people.
The move transformed Togo, one of the world’s poorest countries, from a presidential system to a parliamentary one.
It establishes new prime minister-style position called President of the council of ministers, to be held by the leader of the biggest party. Opposition parties denounced the reform as a ploy by Gnassingbé and his ruling Union for the Republic party – which has a majority in the 91-seat National Assembly – to get around presidential term limits.
The 57-year-old leader will likely assume the new position when his term expires next year.
Credit: rfi
