Constitutional revision: here’s what’s new, as adopted by the deputies
The 9th legislature adopted early on Saturday, November 15, 2025 the bill to revise the Constitution introduced in parliament by Aké Natondé and Assan Séïbou.
SUMMARY
After long hours of debate, the deputies adopted the law amending the Constitution with 90 votes in favor and 19 against. A large-scale vote that propels the country toward a new institutional framework.
The reform, backed by the parliamentary groups Bloc Républicain and Union Progressiste le Renouveau, opens a new political chapter. The choices voted on redraw several essential pillars of the Republic.
Here are the main points adopted
The new provisions introduced in the adopted Constitution are as follows:
- Presidential term
The President of the Republic will now be elected for seven years, renewable only once. A longer term presented as a means of stabilizing public governance.
- Bicameral parliament
Benin officially moves to a two-chamber Parliament, with the creation of a Senate alongside the National Assembly. A major transformation in the institutional architecture.
- Terms of deputies
Deputies will also serve seven-year terms, with the possibility of renewal. A harmonization deemed necessary by the reform’s proponents.
- Local terms
Mayors and municipal councilors will now have their terms aligned to the same seven-year duration.
The vote on the new version of the Constitution was preceded a few hours earlier by the admissibility vote, which ended with 87 votes in favor, 22 against and 0 abstentions.
Comments