El marc polític de Togo

Political Outline

Current Political Leaders

President: Faure GNASSINGBE (since 4 May 2005)

Next Election Dates

Presidential: 2029
National Assembly: April 2030

Main Political Parties

Although political parties operate in Togo, the country remains effectively a one-party dominant state under the leadership of the Union for the Republic (UNIR). In the 2018 elections, UNIR secured a commanding majority by winning 59 out of 91 seats in the unicameral National Assembly. Since then, constitutional reforms have expanded the legislature into a bicameral system, with the National Assembly now consisting of 113 members elected for six-year terms and a newly created Senate providing an additional layer of legislative oversight. Despite these changes, opposition forces—including the social democratic Union of Forces for Change (UFC), as well as smaller parties such as the Patriotic Movement for Democracy and Development, the New Togolese Commitment, and the Pan-African Democratic Party—continue to face significant challenges in gaining real power.

Executive Power

The president is the head of state and is elected by the parliament for a single six-year term. Executive power is exercised by the government, which is led by the President of the Council of Ministers. This position replaces the traditional role of the prime minister and is held by the leader of the party or coalition with a parliamentary majority. The President of the Council of Ministers is responsible for implementing laws, directing government policy, and representing Togo internationally. The Council of Ministers is appointed based on parliamentary majority dynamics. The current constitution does not explicitly detail whether the president retains the power to dissolve the parliament.

Legislative Power

Legislative power is vested in both the government and parliament. Togo has a bicameral legislature, consisting of the National Assembly and the newly established Senate. The National Assembly has 113 members elected every six years through proportional representation in multimember districts. The Senate plays an advisory role, reviewing legislation before the National Assembly makes the final decision. The National Assembly retains its authority to pass laws as the final decision-making body and oversees the government's actions.