french system government present day october included president prime minister president equal members council held legislative executive power state following independence france saw division country different political ethnic parties party representing northern country party representing kingdom southwest party representing southeast result highly unstable system governance leaders different parties struggling power north deposed military coup eventually appointed kingdom divided rulers country eventually able gain support gain upper hand leader country deposed days later military years political instability including multiple military failed election eventually resulted presidential election largely divided country violence military results political crisis resulted military able main candidates agree form holding executive legislative authority charter leaders sit tasked approving major policy decisions country time years president country able implement ongoing tasks managing military civil service country ministerial positions divided leaders minister army appointed sitting president decided president followed peaceful transition occurred giving power stalled politics ensued working undermine ability govern ended october military coup led assumed power ruled country background colony french created french west_africa colony constructed coastal kingdoms long history large area north controlled variety peoples world war colonies french west_africa began year process independence like colonies saw domestic political parties emerge mid-1950s contrast colonies political parties predominant colony largely adhered regions northern country led dominant party area kingdom union led powerful party des led major party efforts parties predominant colony division colony distinct spheres different parties largely solidified major political leader colony elected twice elected colony second representative won election colony select premier guide country independence lead elections musical chairs following independence elections december result ethnic identification perceived corruption administration large gains region traditionally aligned responded making parliamentary alliance president minister finance later vice president consolidate power promoted number allies people north new positions country civil service addition tried weaken ally political power appointing ambassador france vice president unfortunately giving political positions money north caused severe budgetary problems country eventually led freeze wages public employees leading general strike students october october army chief staff removed power created new system government appointed head state head government division roles responsibilities leaders clearly defined coup inner circle arrested tried public funds new arrangement wrestled constantly power seeing opportunity primary political power government released prison coalition leaders named provisional president legislature november grew increasingly concerned situation believed forming alliance second command colonel like result suspended constitution removed power november following coup went exile france ruled years union strikes dissatisfaction ranks military led december coup junior military officers sent exile france following removal power military decided transition civilian government appointed colonel alley chief staff provisional president transition occur new constitution prepared approved vote population march elections followed elect civilian president presidents prime ministers ministers prohibited running excluded foreign minister running position declared general boycott election proved highly successful eligible voters casting ballots low turnout military election results consulting unions activists country military selected new president appointment civilian leader country tried return country informed plane shot entered instead flew neighboring history advocacy policies military quickly drew military leaders pursuing host policies consultation addition control continued instituted number measures result alienated unions urban population result december taken custody military officers organized sent remote military garrison near following coup found support rule entire military instead director military affairs government named provisional head state head person military colonel holding seats military decided release hold new presidential elections restrictions elections allowing run election election included civilian leaders country independence running military decided hold elections schedule different areas country voting different dates meant candidates strategically tried gain votes later voting regions based earlier results irregularities election rampant voting began final region stronghold supporters instigated violence turnout region won presidency earned votes instead allowing vote forward suspended election immediately called sides come agreement forming government situation tense sides making threats refusing meet threatened north victory threatened base join nigeria ethnic tensions increased threats mass migration people traditional ethnic territories inside country considered close civil war april met town french pressure agreed notion single party controlling government rotating presidency attend meeting rejected proposal suggesting military instead pick president military leaders rejected proposal endorsed shared presidency idea agreed participate vote ignored discussions left country france commented crises regular country short history april crisis ominous faced reduce tension country candidates accepted military governing council resolution written closely stipulated starting main candidates hold legislative executive power government decide major policy issues charter council established member council serve head state year periods rotating members leaders held position president individual president govern affairs state managing civil service military bureaucracy policy decisions set unanimous decision entire unanimous decision reached vote majority pass policies ministry posts country divided evenly members council appointing ministers sitting president power appoint minister military minister interior individual pledged abuse control military try remain power year period ended military largely stabilized leadership returned barracks head state began governing country unions military agreed agreement candidates supported remained tension powers new arrangement order unions promised public service union salaries immune budget cuts forces military opposed government coup leaders 1960s largely left country withdrawn politics relationship leaders remained tense alliance number issues kept functioning tenure unions largely high ranks military committed council members council waiting turns govern domestic foreign policy able come fore year major political crisis government small policies began council passed policies largely simply status quo development attempts dominated domestic agenda administration unlike countries africa time involve industries country instead country sought expand foreign tourism sector oil exploration coast country french german investment began series projects create resorts tourist potential coast country begun oil exploration coast country 1960s withdrawn chaos able secure new contract begin year exploration deal agreement unions investments country largely financed significant loan french government time members council provided significant personal wealth arrangement provided significant funds spend presidential residences payment members personal staff given identical trade country increased large trade budget remained foreign policy split france african countries issues china south_africa recognition china broke france sided united_states voting recognition communist china united_nations issue south_africa countries walk discussions opening contact regime south_africa supported opening contact trade relations regime unlike rest african states final vote military tension increased mutiny barracks january young officers demanding removal position head military coup ended sent military officers discuss agreements bee disclosed followed march double coup attempt simultaneous organized different factions military resulted attempted assassination attempt slightly injured attack leaders different factions faction led led supporters included different officers civilians tried sentenced death including executed fear hostile military reaction scheduled transfer power rumors country transfer occur rumored troops loyal march south prevent transfer promoted civil service military ranks saw threat new positions members stood ceremony power transferred declared beneficial institutions allowed country heal alliance allowed govern country quickly broke apart instead alliance kept associates ministerial positions prevented effectively governing major policy effort pushed declaration create single political party regional political parties party allowed end practice divisions parties largely remained tensions members reportedly tense planned visit french president november months power military coup started october removed power ended major led armor company military break meeting declared end announced coup national radio saying headed figure truly monster notorious incompetence similarly coup military intervention viewed favorably population country released prison named new head state appointing military officers ministerial posts senior military officers discharged positions alleged counter coup led colonel alley suppressed alley sentenced years prison members prominent political figures arrested imprisoned placed house arrest released house arrest moved paris following coup proceeded rule country military dictator
Presidential Council (Benin)