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Benin

Republic of Benin

Civil law (French tradition)Unitary presidential republicReviewed· 2026-08-03
Capital
Porto-Novo
Population
13,700,000
Languages
French, Fon
Currency
XOF

Benin · Government

Government and administration in Benin

How the executive, legislature and administrative state are organised, and which body is responsible for what.

The three branches

Executive — President and Council of Ministers
Five-year term, renewable once.
Legislative — National Assembly
Unicameral, 109 deputies.
Judicial — Cour suprême and Cour constitutionnelle
Conseil supérieur de la magistrature governs the career.
Advisory — Economic and Social Council
Consulted on economic and social legislation.

How legislation is made

Bills are examined in committee and voted in plenary by the National Assembly. The President promulgates; the Constitutional Court may be seised before or after promulgation, including by individuals.

Enforcement institutions

Police républicaine
Unified police force merging former police and gendarmerie.
Parquet
Prosecutors direct the criminal action.
Haute Autorité de lutte contre la corruption
Anti-corruption body.

Government bodies and regulators

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