The National Assembly of Benin has approved a constitutional reform that extends the presidential term from five to seven years and introduces a new upper chamber of parliament.
Passed by a decisive 90–19 vote, the amendment sets the presidential mandate at seven years, renewable only once, according to a statement released by the Assembly on Saturday.
“From now on, in accordance with the amended Article 42, the President of the Republic shall be elected by direct universal suffrage for a seven-year term, renewable only once,” the statement says. “No individual may serve more than two presidential terms in their lifetime.”
Before the final secret ballot, lawmakers were required to reach a three-quarters majority in a preliminary vote, as mandated by Article 154. They met this threshold with 87 votes in favor and 22 against. Overall, the reform introduces 15 new articles and amends 18 others.
A key provision is the revised Article 42, which reaffirms that the presidency is limited to two terms of seven years. The reform also establishes a bicameral parliament: under the updated Article 79, legislative authority and government oversight will now be exercised by both the National Assembly and a newly created Senate.
“Under the amended Article 79, Parliament now consists of two chambers—the National Assembly and the Senate—each holding legislative and oversight powers,” the Assembly noted.
Article 80 sets deputies’ terms at seven years, with the possibility of renewal, and adds that any deputy who leaves the political party that sponsored their election automatically forfeits their seat.
The updated Article 113.1 defines the Senate as an institution tasked with regulating political life and protecting national unity, development, territorial defence, public security, democracy, and peace.
The reform also extends the terms of mayors and municipal councillors to seven years, renewable.
