Following a failed coup, Benin is heading to a presidential election, marking the end of Patrice Talon’s two terms. The country anticipates a seemingly ceremonial contest as his finance minister emerges as the favorite candidate.

<p>As president Patrice Talon steps down after a decade, the west African country’s finance minister is favourite to win</p><p>This Sunday, just four months after a failed coup, Benin heads to the polls for a presidential election that feels more like a coronation than a contest.</p><p>Patrice Talon, the businessman turned politician who has been president since 2016, is ineligible to run again after serving two five-year terms.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/apr/12/benin-pr...