Who will succeed Patrice Talon as Benin heads to the polls?
Benin heads to the polls on Sunday, April 12, with voters choosing between two candidates in a presidential race described as favouring the ruling party’s nominee.
Outgoing President Patrice Talon, who has been in power for a decade, is stepping down after reaching the constitutional term limit. His preferred successor, Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni, is contesting under the governing alliance of the Progressive Union Renewal (UPR) and the Republican Bloc (BR).
Wadagni, 49, a former Deloitte executive, has campaigned on continuity, highlighting economic gains under Talon’s leadership. “I had the honour of managing one of your most precious assets: your money,” he told supporters during the campaign, pledging to govern with the same “seriousness and dedication.” He has promised to expand healthcare and build on infrastructure and economic reforms.
His opponent, Paul Hounkpe, 56, represents the Cowry Forces for an Emerging Benin (FCBE). A former teacher and culture minister, he has positioned himself as a moderate alternative, promising to lower the cost of living and secure the release of political detainees.
The main opposition party, the Democrats, is absent from the race after failing to secure the required backing to field a candidate, leaving Hounkpe as the only challenger.
About eight million registered voters are eligible to cast ballots. A candidate must secure more than 50% of the vote to win outright, or a run-off will be held on May 10.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
