Les Démocrates at the National Council: between political survival and the search for a strategy for 2026

The challenge is to redefine the political trajectory of the main opposition party after its confirmed absence from the 2026 presidential election.

Gathered around their national leadership, party officials must decide on major strategic directions. With the legislative and municipal elections scheduled for January 2026 just weeks away, the party is seeking to consolidate its position on the political stage and avoid lasting marginalization.

This meeting comes in a tense political context, marked by President Patrice Talon’s address on November 4. A speech that, according to several observers, reportedly accelerated the party’s internal reorganization and revived debates over possible alliances.

Two main options are emerging. The first would be to form a coalition with a party from the presidential camp to circumvent the 20% elimination threshold imposed by the Electoral Code. A strategic alliance that would guarantee representation in the National Assembly.
The second, bolder option would be to run solo in all 24 electoral constituencies. A risky path, because a score below 20% would deprive the party of any seats and plunge it into a political desert for the next five years.

Behind the scenes, consultations are intensifying. Between maintaining an opposition identity and electoral pragmatism, Les Démocrates are playing a tight game on which their immediate political future depends.