Jockeying for position ahead of the next presidential election, due in 2011, will dominate the political scene during the outlook period. The administration of the president, Boni Yayi, will continue to face considerable difficulty in maintaining its support in parliament and in civil society. The opposition has pledged to unite behind one candidate in the 2011 poll, but given its chronic disunity and the lack of a candidate with strong national appeal, this is unlikely to happen, leaving Mr Yayi as the current favourite to win, should he decide to stand for re-election.