Lawmakers in Togo approved changes to its constitution on Friday linked to presidential term limits and how presidents are elected, which some opposition politicians and civil society groups have denounced as a constitutional coup. Parliament passed the amendments in a vote in March, but further consultations and a second parliamentary vote were scheduled, and legislative elections were pushed back from 20 to 29 April, due to fierce backlash.Those opposed to the changes fear they could allow fur
Togolese lawmakers adopted a new constitution on Monday, moving the country from a presidential to a parliamentary system and giving parliament the power to elect the president of the small West African country.In 2019, members of parliament revised the constitution to limit presidential terms to two, but it did not apply retrospectively, leaving President Faure Gnassingbe free to stand for the next two elections.
Azerbaijani strongman Ilham Aliyev, who will likely sail to a fifth presidential term in Wednesday's election, is cementing his hardline rule after securing a historic victory over Armenian separatists.Aliyev called the elections one year ahead of schedule in December, as he was riding high in polls for securing victory over Armenian rebels in a three-decade territorial dispute.
The news was announced after Russian President Vladimir Putin surpassed the threshold of required signatures to be registered as a candidate. Putin is widely expected to win the election and secure a fifth term in office.
Russia's Central Election Committee sparked controversy by announcing plans to hold "presidential elections" in Ukrainian territories currently under Russian occupation.