The recent legislative election in Benin resulted in a complete loss for opposition parties, as provisional results revealed no parliamentary seats were secured. This election occurred just weeks after a failed coup attempt against President Patrice Talon, which lasted only a few hours before authorities declared it thwarted. The electoral commission announced the provisional results on Saturday evening, reflecting a significant political shift in the country.
In a notable outcome, the two ruling parties, the Republican Bloc and the Progressive Union for Renewal, emerged victorious, securing all available seats in the National Assembly. The Republican Bloc will have 49 lawmakers, while the Progressive Union for Renewal will seat 60 lawmakers. Of the five parties participating in the election, only these two aligned with President Talon achieved success.
The new electoral code mandates that a party must obtain 20% of the national vote and at least 20% in each of the 24 electoral districts to qualify for seat allocation. The main opposition party, The Democrats, received approximately 16% of the vote, falling short of the threshold necessary for representation. This outcome highlights ongoing tensions in Benin’s political landscape.
Guy Mitokpe, spokesperson for The Democrats, expressed concerns over the electoral code, stating, “These results confirm the struggle that The Democrats party has been waging for about two years. We denounced this electoral code, saying that it heavily favored parties aligned with the president. It’s an exclusionary electoral code.” He noted that the party’s exclusion from both the presidential and municipal elections further underscores their challenges.
Voter turnout for this election was reported at 36.73%, according to the electoral commission. The results are set to be verified by the Constitutional Court before final confirmation.
Benin has experienced relative stability over the past two decades, despite a history of coups following its independence from France in 1960. The nation is preparing for a presidential election scheduled for April 2024, but President Talon, who has been in office for a decade, is barred from seeking re-election. Close ally and Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni is widely viewed as the leading candidate to succeed him, especially after the main opposition candidate was disqualified for not meeting endorsement requirements.
While Benin has achieved economic growth during Talon’s presidency, critics accuse him of suppressing political dissent and human rights. As the political climate evolves, the implications of this election and the upcoming presidential race remain to be seen, particularly for the future of opposition parties in the nation.
