Benin Opposition Fails to Win Parliamentary Seats

Electoral commission says two parties aligned with President Patrice Talon win all 109 seats in the assembly.

President Patrice Talon’s ruling alliance secured all 109 seats in Benin’s National Assembly following the January 11 elections, with the Progressive Union for Renewal and the Republican Bloc winning 60 and 49 seats respectively. The opposition party, The Democrats, failed to meet the new electoral threshold, securing only 16 percent of the vote, and will not participate in the upcoming presidential elections. Talon, barred from running again due to term limits, is expected to be succeeded by Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni. The legislative vote occurred after a foiled military coup attempt and saw a turnout of 36.7 percent.