Benin: Patrice Talon will make two appointments to the Senate.

Elected by his peers, Patrice Talon has officially taken charge of the Senate. Beyond overseeing parliamentary work, the president of the Senate has several responsibilities, including the power to appoint the Secretary General of the Senate and his deputy.

According to article 16 concerning the powers of the president of the Senate, Patrice Talon will appoint “after consulting the other two members of the Bureau, the Secretary General of the Senate and his deputy.” This provision grants him a central role in establishing the administration of the upper chamber.

The president of the Senate is also “the head of the Senate administration and the ordainer of its budget.” It is therefore his responsibility to ensure the administrative and financial functioning of the institution.

A president at the center of the Senate’s functioning

Patrice Talon will lead the Senate with the support of Vice President Louis Vlavonou and Rapporteur Alassane Séidou. He “convenes and presides over sessions, plenary meetings, and Bureau meetings” and also represents the Senate in national and international political life.

Article 16 further provides that he can delegate some of his powers to the vice president. Louis Vlavonou is called to assist the president in carrying out his duties and to replace him in case of impediment.

Another important responsibility: the president of the Senate must present an activity report during the first session of each year. This report must then be published in the Official Journal and on the Senate’s website.

With these various powers, Patrice Talon will not only be tasked with presiding over the sessions of the upper chamber. He will also be responsible for establishing and managing its administration as the Senate begins its first term for the period 2026-2031.