Benin held its presidential election on Sunday with only two candidates competing to succeed Patrice Talon after his decade in power. Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni, representing the ruling coalition, faced Paul Hounkpe from the small opposition FCBE party in a contest marked by the absence of major opposition voices.
The Democrats, Benin's main opposition party, could not field a candidate after failing to secure enough parliamentary endorsements. The party lost all its seats in January's legislative elections, which occurred one month after authorities thwarted a coup attempt against Talon.
Voting proceeded calmly across the country, with polling stations in Cotonou opening on schedule. Turnout appeared variable in the economic capital, with some centers showing modest attendance despite confidence from the ruling party about rural participation. In 2021, official turnout reached 50 percent.
Voters expressed mixed sentiments, ranging from enthusiasm for continuity to frustration over the limited field. Some cast protest votes, reflecting dissatisfaction with what they viewed as an insufficiently competitive election.
The restricted candidate pool reflects broader changes to Benin's political landscape under Talon's administration. Electoral reforms in 2024 doubled the threshold for parliamentary representation from 10 to 20 percent of district votes, effectively narrowing political participation.
RFI emphasizes the systematic erosion of democratic space under Talon, highlighting civil liberties restrictions and electoral barriers that limit genuine competition. As a former colonial power with ongoing interests in West African stability, France frames this as concerning democratic backsliding in its sphere of influence.