The 10th legislature of the Bénin National Assembly is convening for a pivotal plenary session this Friday, July 10, 2026, at the Governor’s Palace in Porto-Novo. Lawmakers will deliberate on critical legislative proposals that could reshape the nation’s institutional, electoral, and economic landscape.

Legislative agenda: institutional reforms and public funding

The plenary session agenda includes several high-stakes bills, notably:

• Amendment to the National Orders Act: The legislature will review a bill modifying Article 94 of the July 26, 2024 law establishing national orders in Bénin.
• Reform of the Economic and Social Council: Deputies will examine a proposal to revise the organic law governing this consultative body, despite recent revisions in March 2026.
• Credit agreement for cultural development: Lawmakers will deliberate on a decree ratifying a financing agreement signed June 24, 2025, between Bénin and the French Development Agency (AFD). The funds will support the construction of the Contemporary Art Museum in Cotonou.

Electoral code reforms dominate discussions

The most contentious item on the agenda involves a proposal to repeal Title II of Book I of the Electoral Code, as amended in 2024. The potential repeal has sparked intense debate about its implications for the electoral body and future voting processes.

Parliamentarians are expected to engage in robust exchanges, with some lawmakers cautioning that the repeal could significantly alter the structure and operations of the institution responsible for organizing elections.