Executive Branch
| Office | Name | Party | Since |
|---|---|---|---|
| President | Yayi Boni | Independent | 6 April 2006 |
| Prime Minister | Pascal Koupaki | Independent | 28 May 2011 |
The President of Benin is elected for a five-year term. An individual can serve only two terms. Election is by absolute majority which, after a second round if necessary.
Candidates must be:
- Beninese by birth, or have had Beninese nationality for 10 years
- Between the ages of 40 and 70 on the date of his or her candidacy
- Resident in Benin during elections
- Declared mentally and physically fit by three doctors
In 2006, Mathieu Kérékou was not constitutionally permitted to run for re-election since he had already served two terms and was over 70 years old. Despite speculation, this was not changed and he stood down after the election of his successor, Yayi Boni.
The Cabinet is under the authority of the President, and serves to advise and help formulate strategies. It also liaises with ministries and other government institutions. The Benin government's website has a full list and a selection of photos of senior ministers.
Read more about this topic: Politics Of Benin
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