In a significant political shift in Benin, President Patrice Talon’s ruling alliance has secured all seats in the National Assembly following the recent legislative elections. These results not only illustrate the consolidation of Talon’s power but also pave the way for his successor, Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni, as the country approaches the presidential election in April. With an electoral threshold that has stirred concerns over fairness, the landscape of Benin’s politics continues to evolve amid both support and critique from various factions.
President Patrice Talon’s ruling coalition has achieved a historic victory in the latest legislative elections, securing complete control of Benin’s National Assembly, according to provisional results released by the electoral commission. In the elections held on January 11, the Progressive Union for Renewal and the Republican Bloc, both aligned with Talon, triumphed over their rivals, winning all 109 seats in the assembly. The Progressive Union for Renewal is set to have 60 members of parliament, while the Republican Bloc will comprise 49.
The new electoral code implemented for this election stipulated that a party must secure at least 20 percent of the national vote as well as 20 percent in each of the 24 electoral districts to qualify for seat allocation. Unfortunately for the main opposition party, The Democrats, their performance fell short, garnering approximately 16 percent of the vote and thus failing to meet the threshold for representation.
This outcome significantly bolsters Talon’s presidential bloc ahead of the upcoming presidential elections in April, although he himself is barred from running again due to term limits after a decade in office. Talon’s potential successor, Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni, is anticipated to be the next leader, continuing the current administration’s policies. However, The Democrats are facing further challenges, having been disqualified from the presidential race due to their inability to gather sufficient signatures for registration, a situation they have described as detrimental to democratic participation.
Guy Mitokpe, spokesperson for The Democrats, voiced concerns over what he termed an exclusionary electoral code, highlighting its favorable bias toward parties aligned with President Talon. He noted that the party’s exclusion from both the presidential and municipal elections highlights a broader struggle within the political landscape.
Official reports indicate that voter turnout for the elections was recorded at 36.7 percent, a figure comparable to previous legislative elections in 2023. These elections followed a recent failed military coup attempt on December 7, which attempted to destabilize Talon’s government but was swiftly suppressed.
With a new constitutional reform in place, the presidential term in Benin has been extended to seven years, with a two-term limit enforced, further shaping the dynamics of political power in the country. As Benin moves forward in its democratic processes, the implications of these elections will be closely watched by both supporters and critics alike.
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