Benin heads to the polls this Sunday in a tightly controlled presidential race widely seen as favouring the ruling party’s candidate.
This story is written and edited by Global South World
Outgoing leader Patrice Talon is stepping down after a decade in power, having reached the constitutional term limit. His chosen successor, Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni, is running 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.
This article was originally published by Global South World and is republished here with permission. View the original article.
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