Late Friday, Benin’s parliament approved extending the presidential term from five to seven years, renewable once, less than six months before elections in which Finance Minister Romualdo Wadani, the nominee to succeed outgoing President Patrice Talon, starts as the almost undisputed favorite.
Wadagni is widely credited with driving Benin’s strong economic performance, with growth of more than 6% annually since 2021, and is expected to run without major opposition. In Benin, candidates must have the support of at least 10% of the country’s parliamentarians and mayors (about 16 in total, 28 depending on the seats in parliament), so the electoral commission only recognized one rival after rejecting the remaining proposals. occupies).
Indeed, Benin’s Constitutional Court on Monday approved a decision to bar the main opposition party, former President Thomas Boni Yai’s Democratic Party, from participating in the proposal after the duo of Renaud Agbojo and Jude Roju was rejected due to lack of support. Also on Friday, the Supreme Court rejected his final appeal.
The proposed constitutional amendment, which was approved with 90 votes in favor and 19 votes against, also provides for the constitution of the Senate, which joins the National Assembly to create a bicameral system.
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