Benin’s main opposition party, Les Démocrates, has officially launched the process to select its candidates for the upcoming legislative, municipal, and presidential elections. The move, announced on September 24, follows a national coordination meeting held at the party’s headquarters a day earlier.
The legislative and municipal polls are scheduled for January 11, while the presidential election is set for April 12, 2026. Party officials say the nomination process marks a decisive stage in their preparations for what promises to be a pivotal year in Benin’s political calendar.
To oversee the exercise, Les Démocrates has created two structures.
The most prominent, the National Candidacy Committee, is composed of 15 members.
Each department of the country has a representative, joined by one delegate chosen by the party president, another from the administrative secretariat, and a representative of the electoral affairs secretariat.
The committee’s role will be to evaluate and validate applications. A formal call is expected to clarify eligibility requirements and submission procedures.
In a system similar to that used in the last presidential election—when opposition figure Reckya Madougou was disqualified—prospective candidates will undergo hearings.
These interviews will test their political background, campaign proposals, and capacity to mobilise resources effectively.
According to the party’s timetable, applications for the presidential contest must be submitted between October 10 and 14, 2025.
That leaves Les Démocrates only a few weeks to complete its internal process and unveil the candidate who will carry its banner in 2026.
Meanwhile, the ruling camp has already made its choice.
Since late August, Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni and current Vice President Mariam Talata have been formally endorsed to lead the governing coalition into next year’s presidential race.
The parallel preparations set the stage for an electoral showdown likely to test both the strength of Benin’s opposition and the resilience of its political institutions.
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