Togo’s Ruling Party Claims Senate Victory Amid Controversial Reforms

Togo’s ruling party, led by President Faure Gnassingbé, won 34 of 41 Senate seats in a contentious election, part of controversial constitutional reforms that remove presidential elections. Opposition parties boycotted, claiming these changes further entrench Gnassingbé’s control. This victory follows his party’s overwhelming success in April, giving them significant political power going forward.

Togo’s ruling party, overseen by President Faure Gnassingbé, achieved a significant victory in the recent Senate elections, acquiring 34 out of 41 available seats, as reported in provisional results on Sunday. This election, facilitated by 1,706 municipal and regional representatives, signifies the culmination of a highly debated constitutional reform process initiated by Gnassingbé.

These reforms aim to eliminate presidential elections and transition executive authority to a newly established role known as the president of the council, who will be appointed by the ruling party. This shift has been met with criticism, particularly from opposition groups, which largely abstained from the elections, alleging that the reforms are intended to reinforce Gnassingbé’s grip on power.

Gnassingbé has been in power since 2005, inheriting the presidency from his father. While the previous constitution limited him to one additional term in 2025, his proposed changes are seen as a means to prolong his dominance in Togo’s political environment. In April, his party claimed 108 of 111 seats in the legislative elections, underscoring their substantial control.

The recent Senate elections in Togo illustrate the ruling party’s consolidation of power under President Faure Gnassingbé, following major constitutional reforms. Critics note that these changes threaten to undermine democratic processes by effectively allowing Gnassingbé to maintain control without future elections. As both chambers of parliament will participate in selecting the president of the council, the implications for Togo’s political landscape are profound, indicating an ongoing trend of power centralization.

Original Source: newscentral.africa