Benin’s ruling coalition has named Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni as its candidate for the April 2026 presidential election.

The Progressive Union for Renewal and the Republican Bloc made the joint announcement, ending months of speculation over President Patrice Talon’s successor. Talon has confirmed he will not seek a third term.

Wadagni, 49, is admired for his fiscal discipline. A chartered accountant trained in France and the U.S., he has led Benin’s economy and finance ministry since 2016 and was reappointed in 2021 with ministerial rank.

Supporters see his nomination as a sign of continuity, while opposition parties are now strategizing to field a unified challenger for the high-stakes 2026 polls.