The revision establishing a seven-year presidential term and a bicameral system is now in effect after its validation by Benin’s Constitutional Court.
President Patrice Talon promulgated on Wednesday the law enacting a major revision of the constitution, extending elected terms from five to seven years and creating a Senate, APA learned following the latest cabinet meeting.
Law No. 2025-20, promulgated on December 17, 2025, gives executory force to this sweeping reform, which substantially modifies the constitution of December 11, 1990.
The Beninese leader informed the cabinet meeting that the Constitutional Court had declared,
on December 12, that all the amendments adopted by the National Assembly on November 14 were in conformity with the fundamental law.
The judges validated the text after examining the presidential referral and several appeals filed by members of parliament and citizens.
The reform now establishes seven-year terms for the president, members of parliament, and local elected officials.
It also creates a Senate, formalising Benin’s transition to a bicameral parliamentary system alongside the National Assembly.
The upper house is expected to have between 25 and 30 members, according to appointment procedures defined by law.
This promulgation comes in a sensitive political and security context, just days after the failed coup attempt against President Talon.
The Beninese constitution underwent its first revision in November 2019, making this reform the second major amendment since the so-called democratic renewal.
AC/fss/as/APA