After opposition candidates had been sidelined in previous elections, the opposition party The Democrats (Les Démocrates) entered parliament in January 2023. However, President Talon, without a particular party affiliation, remains dominant through allied factions. In 2024, the National Assembly passed a contentious new electoral code intended for the 2026 elections. Opposition parties formed a coalition to challenge the reform and pushed for an electoral register audit, which the government approved and funded in early 2025.
Benin’s economic strategy is guided by the Government Action Program, whose second phase aims to boost industrial growth. Despite challenging circumstances, including a large informal sector, shifting development aid flows and border closures with Niger, the country has maintained solid growth rates. However, the cost of living remains high.
Security challenges persist, particularly in the north due to Islamist militant threats. The government has increased defense spending and diversified its military partnerships, strengthening cooperation with Rwanda, the United States and other partners while maintaining ties with France. Economically, ties with Niger and Nigeria improved.
