“Reforming at the end of a term raises questions of legitimacy”, Mathias Hounkpè
The idea of introducing a Senate in Benin continues to fuel political and academic debate.
The project, presented as a way to strengthen territorial representation and improve the quality of legislative work, raises questions as much about its content as about its context.
Political scientist Mathias Hounkpè recently spoke on the subject. According to him, any constitutional reform at the end of a term raises questions about its legitimacy.
“Reforms of this kind are rarely seen as neutral: they are often interpreted as maneuvers to entrench power or as political repositioning,” he explains.
For Hounkpè, the current process seems to confirm these fears. The haste, the almost non-inclusive nature and the impression of a project carried out behind closed doors heighten suspicion, while the perception of an advantage for the outgoing president fuels concern about a concentration of power.
The political scientist also draws attention to the risk that the future Senate, largely dominated by the ruling coalition, will not fulfill its mission of neutral representation, but rather serve to consolidate the current majority.
He concludes by saying: “In a democracy, the legitimacy of a reform depends as much on its content as on its context. Prudence and national consultation are essential to ensure trust and the sustainability of reforms.”
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