The former Beninese President, Mr. Patrice Talon, was elected President of the Senate on Thursday, the first Upper House in the country’s recent history, following the establishment of the bureau of the new institution created by the constitutional revision of December 2025.
Mr. Talon was elected President of the Senate, following the first election of the bureau of the new upper house of Parliament, installed on July 30 as part of the country’s transition to a bicameral parliamentary system.
The election took place after the entry into force of the institution’s rules of procedure, validated by the Constitutional Court on August 3, thus paving the way for the establishment of the Senate’s governing bodies.
Louis Vlavonou, former President of the National Assembly, was elected Vice-President, while Alassane Seidou was appointed rapporteur.
Under Article 113-5 of the Constitution, the positions of President and Vice-President are reserved for ex officio members of the Senate, a body that includes former Presidents of the Republic, former Speakers of the National Assembly, and former Presidents of the Constitutional Court.
A businessman, who became President of the Republic in 2016, Patrice Talon led Benin for two consecutive terms before leaving office in April 2026, in accordance with the constitutional term limits.
His second five-year term was marked by the constitutional revision of December 2025, which established a bicameral system and created the Senate, of which he now becomes the first President.
This election takes place in a political context marked by the decision of former President Thomas Boni Yayi to finally take his seat in the Senate.
On July 22, he announced that he would exercise his right as a senator, reversing his initial position of refusing to participate in this institution.
He explained this reversal by citing the evolving political context, believing that the new chamber could serve as a forum for dialogue and consultation.
The election of the bureau marks the completion of the institutional establishment of the Beninese Senate, which now has its first leadership team for a five-year term.
AC/Sf/fss/gik/APA