Benin’s newly elected President Patrice Talon wants presidential
terms reduced to just one five-year term and not the current two
five-year terms.
Talon on Friday said he plans to cut the presidential term limits by
half, after the constitutional court confirmed his election victory over
prime minister Lionel Zinsou.
The new president garnered 65.4 percent of the vote cast in Sunday’s
run-off poll to clinch victory and replace the outgoing Thomas Boni Yayi
who is stepping down having served two terms in office.
“I will first and foremost tackle constitutional reform,” Talon told
reporters, reinforcing a promise made during campaigning. One term of
five years would reduce presidential “complacency”, he said.
The peaceful election was seen as reinforcing the democratic
credentials of Benin, a bastion of stability in a region where elections
are often marred by violence.
Boni Yayi has received much praise for relinquishing power after the
elapse of his term in office, unlike other African leaders who have
altered constitutions to enable them stay in power longer.