Constitutional change reduces presidential powers

Lawmakers in Togo have adopted a new Constitution that will see the country shift from a presidential to parliamentary system of governance. Executive power will rest with the Prime Minister, reducing the presidency to a symbolic role. In terms of the new system, the President will be selected by Parliament for a single six-year term, rather than being voted by the public. BBC News reports that opposition parties boycotted Togo's previous elections and are poorly represented in Togo's Parliament. As a result, this new constitution change was approved almost unanimously with only one legislator voting against and one other abstaining from the vote. It is unclear if the new system will be in force when the West African country holds regional and legislative elections next month.