Former Ivorian Trade Minister Calls For The Introduction of ‘Minimum Age of 75 For Presidential Candidates’

Former Côte d’Ivoire trade minister Jean-Louis Billon has called for the reintroduction of the minimum age of 75 for presidential candidates.

His comment is directed at President Alassane Ouattara and former presidents Laurent Gbagbo and Henri Konan Bédié, although none of the three men officially stood in the election.

Two of the three “elephants” of Ivorian politics are over 80 years old, and one is over 70, according to a statement by the former Minister of Commerce of Côte d’Ivoire, Jean-Louis Billon.

Speaking on a radio show on Saturday, Billion called for the reintroduction of the 75-year age limit for presidential candidates. 

He has his eye on the giant of Ivorian politics, Alassane Ouattara and Laurent Gbagbo, but also on his own party president, Henri Konan Bedie, although none of the three are officially running for election.

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The former trade minister’s position coincides with the recent decision by the PDCI Politburo to nominate Bedi, the 88-year-old former president, as the sole candidate for the party’s leadership. 

This decision caused an internal uproar, with some seeing it as a future nomination of Henri Conan Bedie as a presidential candidate.

On Saturday, Billion also announced his intention to run for president in Ivory Coast in 2025. 

Although the election is two years away, disagreements have already been resolved over who will succeed Alassane Ouattara.