Senegal’s Ruling Party Pastef Secures Legislative Majority Despite Opposition from Former President

The ruling party of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, Pastef of Senegal, emerged victorious in Sunday’s snap legislative elections, winning the majority of the 165 seats of the parliament. The win will pave the way for Faye to deepen his reformist agenda just eight months after he won the presidential election.

With 90 to 95 per cent of votes counted, projections showed Pastef is set for between 119 and 131 parliamentary seats.

The final count is expected on Tuesday. This victory will represent a major boost for Faye after his government struggled through its early months under an opposition-dominated parliament.

I pay homage to the Senegalese people for the large victory that it has given to Pastef, said government spokesman Amadou Moustapha Ndieck Sarre in an appearance on TFM television.

Some opposition has conceded defeat as notable leaders acknowledge Pastef’s victory. Barthelemy Dias of the SAMM Sa Kaddu coalition was one of those who congratulated the winning party.

Bougane Gueye Dany called on the prime minister, Ousmane Sonko, to think about the needs of Senegal’s citizens. Former President Macky Sall, now in opposition exile and leader of the Takku Wallu Senegal coalition, claimed fraud had occurred but did not produce any evidence to prove it.

Faye’s victory came when Senegal faced various economic challenges, including high inflation and unemployment, which had already slapped the country’s youthful population. During his presidential campaign, Faye promised to lead the economic transformation, fight corruption, and further social justice- all issues dear to many citizens’ hearts.

In October, the Faye administration unveiled a development program geared towards independence from foreign loans, with a strategy that instead focuses on tapping local resources and an investment in human capital.

Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko described the initiative as moving away from past models by emphasising sustainable growth and self-reliance.

The result is a win amidst the united front of the two historically dominant parties in Senegal: Alliance for the Republic, APR, led by ex-president Macky Sall, and Senegalese Democratic Party, PDS, belonging to former president Abdoulaye Wade. The coalition was a direct challenge against Pastef in the snap elections but has failed to secure a majority.

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