Benin’s 2026 Election: A Democratic Test Under Restricted Competition
At a time when some countries are amending their constitutions to allow incumbents to remain in power, Benin has taken a different path. President Patrice Talon is stepping down after two terms in office since 2016. Yet, despite his adherence to term limits, the upcoming election appears less competitive. Can a transition process be considered democratic if the conditions for meaningful competition are weakened? Recent electoral reforms and restrictions on opposition participation have narrowed the...
