In Benin, the opposition party Les Démocrates is in the midst of a storm. The rapid winds of its internal contradictions are blowing in gusts, sweeping away its presidential dream and depleting its pool of deputies.

Indeed, after failing to have its two presidential candidates validated for the 2026 election, the political party had to deal with the resignation of six of its members of parliament. These members no longer approve of President Boni Yayi's administration.

Despite this series of setbacks, the party still has the opportunity to make a big impact in the legislative elections of January 2026.

"Mr. President, if anything goes wrong in the legislative elections, you will be solely responsible."

A landslide victory on the evening of this election would ensure his control of Parliament, which is, it should be remembered, the institution of counter-power par excellence.

Before reaching that point, the political party will have to obtain, during these legislative elections, 20% of the votes cast in all electoral districts, as prescribed by the Electoral Code.

Benin's President Patrice Talon hopes they will succeed. However, he warns his predecessor: "Mr. President, if anything goes wrong in the legislative elections, you will be solely responsible. Don't blame Talon again if the Democrats aren't in Parliament, because that risk looms over everyone, all those who want to run for office on their own."

Democrats reject any parliamentary coalition agreement

The Beninese leader reportedly wanted Les Démocrates to sign "declarations of intent" with parties in the ruling coalition or moderate opposition, to ensure they could secure seats in Parliament during the January 2026 elections.

Indeed, political parties that reach a parliamentary coalition agreement before the legislative elections will benefit from the aggregation of votes obtained in the election. This will allow them to easily reach the 20% threshold required by the Electoral Code.

Democrats are not at all in line with this logic.

"They said: 'We will go to the elections (on our own) whatever it generates and we will see what happens afterwards. Well then, nothing will happen at all. If the democrats decide to go to the elections under these conditions, nothing will happen at all,' warned the Beninese president.