Togo slashes presidential term as it switches to parliamentary system

By James Tasamba

KIGALI, Rwanda (AA) - Togo's National Assembly has adopted amendments to the country's constitution, switching the country from a presidential to a parliamentary system, the government said Tuesday.

A majority of 89 out of 91 lawmakers voted in favor of the constitutional amendments, the government said in a statement.

Under the new constitution, the president of the tiny West African country will be elected by parliament instead of direct adult suffrage for a single term of six years.

The term of office of the Togolese president has been five years, renewable once.

The amended constitution also creates a new post of “President of the Council of Ministers” to be elected for a six-year term with considerable authority in the management of government affairs and will be accountable to parliament.