President Patrice Talon's ruling alliance secured full control of Benin's National Assembly in the legislative elections held on January 11, according to provisional results released by the electoral commission on Saturday night. Of the five parties that participated, only the Progressive Union for Renewal, which will hold 60 seats, and the Republican Bloc, with 49 seats, both aligned with Talon, met the requirements for seat allocation.

The Democrats, the main opposition party, failed to secure any seats, having obtained approximately 16 percent of the national vote, falling short of the 20 percent threshold mandated by the new electoral code. This code stipulates that a party must achieve a minimum of 20 percent of the national vote and 20 percent in each of the 24 electoral districts to be eligible for parliamentary representation.

The outcome of the election strengthens the position of the presidential bloc as the country approaches the presidential election in April. President Talon, who is 67 years old and has governed Benin for the past ten years, is constitutionally barred from seeking re-election due to term limits.

The new electoral code, which established the stringent threshold for parliamentary representation, has been a subject of debate. Supporters argue that it promotes stronger, more nationally representative parties, while critics contend that it marginalizes smaller parties and limits political diversity in the National Assembly. The absence of opposition representation raises concerns about the balance of power and the potential for dissenting voices to be heard in the government.

The electoral commission has not yet released a detailed breakdown of the vote in each of the 24 electoral districts. The final results are expected to be certified in the coming days, after which the newly elected members of the National Assembly will be sworn in. The composition of the new assembly will play a crucial role in shaping the political landscape of Benin in the lead-up to the presidential election and beyond.