Benin’s new Senate raises questions over power and legitimacy

Traffic keeps moving in Cotonou, a day after Benin’s armed forces thwarted the attempted coup against the government of President Patrice Talon, on 8 December, 2025. REUTERS - Charles Placide Tossou

Benin’s new senate was inaugurated in Porto-Novo last week, creating a second chamber of parliament with powers to review legislation, protect constitutional rules and discipline political figures.

The new institution will be able to request a second reading of legislation and veto constitutional, electoral or political party reforms it considers a threat to democracy, peace or national unity.