Benin’s April 12 presidential election arrived with the ballots barely contested—and that’s no accident. Since taking office, President Patrice Talon has overhauled the country’s political landscape through sweeping party reforms and a controversial endorsement system that requires candidates to secure sign-offs from elected officials his allies largely control. The result? A field that once boasted over 200 parties was whittled down to just two presidential tickets. With voter turnout already declining in recent elections, participation is now a key test of legitimacy. Ultimately, the vote is less about performance and more about structural control, signaling a shift in how democratic competition operates in Benin.
The Conversation
