Benin’s ex-president Talon elected Senate leader

The newly created Senate in Benin has elected former president Patrice Talon as its leader on Thursday in Porto-Novo, less than three months after he left office on May 24.

Talon secured 24 of 25 votes in the secret ballot, with one blank ballot cast and no votes against him. He will serve a five-year term as head of the country’s new upper chamber of Parliament.

As the sole candidate for the position, Talon faced no formal opposition. Thomas Boni Yayi, founder of the opposition party Les Démocrates du Bénin and a former president himself, did not contest the election.

“I will give my very best,” Talon said after his election, calling for national unity and democracy. “We must work together like a family, like friends, to strengthen national unity, peace, and democracy.”

Talon now ranks as the third-highest state official after the president and vice-president. The Senate, composed of 25 appointed members, will convene four times yearly. It holds authority to regulate political life, including the power to suspend or revoke civic and political rights of elected officials, except the head of state and leaders of the National Assembly and Economic and Social Council.

Louis Vlavonou, former president of Benin’s National Assembly, was elected Vice-President of the Senate. Former Interior Minister Alassane Séïdou became rapporteur, with former Labour Minister Adidjath Mathys as his deputy.

The Senate was created under constitutional revisions passed during Talon’s presidency. Opponents have questioned whether Talon orchestrated its creation as a means to remain influential after leaving office.

SOURCE: APA