This is quite unusual. In Benin, the members of parliament elected in the January 2026 legislative elections were sworn in yesterday, Sunday, February 8th. The ceremony took place at the Parliament building in Porto-Novo. Almost all 109 members of parliament were present. On the same day, they also elected the members of the Parliament's Bureau. Joseph Djogbénou, the sole candidate for Speaker, was elected by a landslide.

Kakpo Mahugnon climbs the ranks

Indeed, all 109 members of parliament voted for him. Barthélémy Kassa, the former Water Minister under Boni Yayi who now aligns himself with the pro-Talon movement, inherits the position of First Vice-President of the National Assembly. Kakpo Mahugnon, a former minister under Patrice Talon, becomes ^Second Vice-President. His election to this position reflects his rise within the National Assembly's hierarchy. The president of the National Committee of Voodoo Rites was previously First Parliamentary Secretary. His colleague, David Ouinsa, replaces him in that role.

A single-party parliament!

The second Parliamentary Secretary is named: Idrissou Chabi Zimè. He is the current mayor of Parakou, the major city in northern Benin.

Regarding the positions of quaestors, the deputies chose Labiou Amadou Djibril and Chantal Ahyi.

It is important to remember that this new Parliament is entirely committed to President Talon's cause. All the elected members come from the two parties that support his actions: the Republican Bloc (BR) and the Progressive Union for Renewal (UP-R).