Benin Opposition Party Returns to Parliament

Benin’s opposition has returned to parliament after a four-year absence, winning 28 seats in elections dominated by President Patrice Talon’s allies.

According to the electoral authority, the main opposition party Les Democrates won 28 seats, while the Republican Bloc and Progressive Union for Renewal parties allied with Talon together won 81 seats.

None of the remaining four parties competing for the 109 seats gathered enough votes to meet the 10 percent threshold for parliamentary representation.

The electoral commission said, voter turnout in the polls was a low 38.66 percent, despite analysts predicting it would be higher as more parties were involved.