Jean-Lucien Savi de Tové

Jean-Lucien Savi de Tové, born on May 7, 1939, in Lomé, Togo, is a prominent figure in Togolese politics, having been elected as the first President of the parliamentary Republic of Togo on May 3, 2025. A trained jurist and graduate of the University of Bordeaux, Savi de Tové began his political career as Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs following the military coup in 1967. Over the decades, he has served as a minister and a historic opposition leader, advocating for consensus and democratic reforms. His election came after a constitutional amendment that transformed Togo’s political system from a presidential to a parliamentary republic, granting the presidency a largely symbolic role. Savi de Tové's extensive career includes moments of turbulence, notably a ten-year prison sentence in 1979 for alleged coup attempts, but his resilience and commitment to civil society have solidified his status as a key player in Togo's national evolution.