The inaugural senatorial elections in the nation’s history took place on Saturday, February 15, 2025, and reaffirmed the ruling party’s stronghold, the Union for the Republic (UNIR). As per the provisional results released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) the day after the polls closed, this political party secured 34 out of the 41 available seats. With 82% of the seats, UNIR reinforces its dominance, while the remaining seven seats are distributed among various opposition parties and independents. The BATIR party captures two seats, while the Alliance of Democrats for Integral Development (ADDI) and the Union of Forces for Change (UFC) each secure one.
The last three seats go to independent candidates. This election signifies an important milestone in the structural framework of the Fifth Togolese Republic, affirming the ruling party’s supremacy following victories in the legislative and regional elections held in April 2024. It should be highlighted that the formation of this new chamber is a result of the constitutional reform passed on May 6, 2024.
This change signaled Togo’s shift to a parliamentary system, significantly altering the distribution of power. The presidency of the Republic now assumes an honorary role, while the majority of executive powers are vested in the President of the Council of Ministers (PCM), who is required to be the leader of the majority party in the National Assembly.
In this revised distribution of power, the Senate takes on a crucial role, especially in the selection of the President of the Republic.Therefore, the impressive electoral success of UNIR hints at the likely identity of the upcoming President of the Council of Ministers.
