COTONOU, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Former Beninese President Patrice Talon was elected president of Benin's Senate on Thursday, becoming the first head of the country's newly established upper house of parliament.
Meeting in Benin's capital, senators elected the Senate's executive bureau for a five-year term. Talon was elected with 24 votes in favor, none against and one abstention. He will serve as Senate president for the 2026-2031 legislative term.
In the same vote, former National Assembly President Louis Vlavonou was elected vice president of the Senate, while former Interior Minister Alassane Seidou was elected rapporteur and Adidjatou Mathys deputy rapporteur.
Following his election, Talon pledged to work "to strengthen national unity, our country's political stability, peace and democracy."
The election marked the completion of the process of establishing the Senate. Senators were sworn in on July 30 in Porto-Novo before adopting the chamber's rules of procedure. On Aug. 3, the Constitutional Court ruled that the rules were in conformity with the Constitution, clearing the way for the election of the Senate's executive bureau.
The establishment of the Senate follows a constitutional amendment promulgated on Dec. 17, 2025, which transformed Benin's legislature from a unicameral parliament into a bicameral one comprising the National Assembly and the Senate.
Under the Constitution, the Senate is tasked with safeguarding national unity, strengthening the state, promoting political stability, democracy, and peace, and ensuring respect for political truce arrangements. Under conditions prescribed by the Constitution, it may also impose sanctions, including the suspension or withdrawal of political or civil rights, on certain political actors.
The Senate is also required to issue a non-objection opinion before constitutional amendments, electoral laws, and legislation governing political parties and their activities can be promulgated.
Talon, 68, served as president of Benin from 2016 to 2026, completing the two terms permitted under the Constitution. ■
