World Presidential in Benin: Talon chooses the Vice-President of the Assembly as running mate

© PIUS UTOMI EKPEI / AFP Beninese President Patrice Talon has chosen the number two of Parliament for his ticket to the election on April 11 ( image d'illustration)

A woman will be Patrice Talon's running mate in the presidential race on April 11. The head of state of Benin, candidate for his own succession, has chosen the number two in the Beninese parliament, Mariam Chabi Talata Zime.

With our correspondent in Cotonou, Jean-Luc Aplogan

Mariam Chabi Talata Zime was not even on the "short list" of the two parties responsible for proposing the name of the majority candidate for vice-presidency to President Talon. They had two finalists who they couldn't decide. And that's where Patrice Talon pulled the name of his running mate out of his hat. An unexpected choice which still surprises.

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A running mate is a person running together with another person on a joint ticket during an election. The term is most often used in reference to the person in the subordinate position (such as the vice presidential candidate running with a presidential candidate)

The role of a vice - presidential running mate isn't always clearly defined. One of the traditional roles is to go on the offensive in exposing the opposition's Constitutionally, the vice - president steps in to the top job should the president die or leave office during his or her term. Mr Biden will turn 78 in

Professor of philosophy, Member of Parliament, born July 7, 1963, Mariam Chabi Talata Zime entered Parliament in 2019 as deputy to the Minister of the Interior and was then elected Vice-President of the National Assembly.

She is the wife of an agricultural engineer and mother of 4 children. Patrice Talon is originally from the south and she from the north, this meets the criterion of regional balance dear to the Beninese.

The choice of a woman is also a response to activists for gender equality and the advancement of women, a point on which the Beninese president has often been criticized.

This discreet woman who likes boubous and scarves is described by her party comrades as a dedicated, pragmatic, structured and courageous activist.

In the event of victory at the polls next April, she will become the first vice-president of Benin, one of whose functions is to ensure the vacancy of the presidency of the Republic.

A ticket that will be submitted to the Electoral Commission between February 1 and 4, period for submitting candidatures. The modification of the Constitution made in November 2019 with the political reforms of Talon, creates a post of vice-president, elected in duo with the president of the Republic.