 Laurent Gbagbo took power following a popular overthrow of the interim leader Gen. Robert Guéï who had claimed a dubious victory in presidential elections; Gen. Guéï himself had assumed power on 25 December 1999, following a military coup against the government of former President Henri Konan Bédié.Gbagbo was elected president in 2000 in an election boycotted by many oppositional forces.The president is elected by popular vote for a five-year term.