In Benin, the ruling coalition has officially chosen on August 31, Romuald Wadagni, the Minister of Finance and Cooperation, as its candidate for the 2026 presidential election scheduled for 12 April.
His selection by the Progressive Union for Democratic Renewal (UPR) and the Republican Bloc (BR) confirms that President Patrice Talon will not seek a third term. Wadagni, 49, a Harvard and Grenoble graduate, has been at the centre of Benin’s economic reforms since 2016 and is widely regarded as a trusted technocrat close to the president. His candidacy is presented as a generational renewal, with his near-decade of loyalty and reform record making him a natural successor.
The opposition party, Les Démocrates, remains the main challenger but has yet to declare its candidate. The ruling coalition leaders, including Abdoulaye Bio Tchané and Joseph Djogbénou, describe Wadagni as competent and credible, tasked with carrying forward Talon’s reformist legacy.
While his economic policies have drawn criticism for being “not very social,” his international recognition and political tact have strengthened his profile. The choice of his running mate is expected within 48 hours, while the electoral commission has set 10–14 October for candidate registration. This nomination also reaffirms Talon’s pledge to respect constitutional limits and preserve Benin’s democratic tradition.