DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — Senegal’s governing party, PASTEF, is on track to secure a parliamentary majority following a decisive election, with main opposition leaders conceding defeat on Monday. This outcome is crucial for newly elected President Bassirou Diomaye Faye as he seeks to implement the ambitious reforms he promised during his campaign.
Local media and citizen vote counting platforms project that PASTEF will win approximately 131 of the 165 seats in the National Assembly, granting the party an absolute majority. Official results, along with the final seat distribution, are expected to be announced later this week.
Former President Macky Sall, leader of the main opposition coalition Takku Wallu, publicly congratulated PASTEF in a post on social media. Other opposition leaders had already acknowledged their defeat shortly after the polls closed on Sunday.
Prior to the election, PASTEF held only 56 seats in the National Assembly, while Sall’s coalition maintained a slim majority with 83 seats. Faye, who assumed the presidency in March on an anti-establishment platform, has expressed that the previous lack of a parliamentary majority hindered his ability to pursue key reforms, including anti-corruption measures, a review of fishing permits for foreign companies, and a strategy to ensure that Senegal’s natural resources benefit the local population.
In September, Faye took the significant step of dissolving the opposition-led parliament, paving the way for these early legislative elections.
The electoral process in Senegal, a nation known for its stability, was marked by calm and peaceful voting, despite a campaign that experienced sporadic clashes between rival supporters. Faye, at 44, became Africa’s youngest elected leader earlier this year, just weeks after his release from prison. His ascent reflects a growing frustration among Senegal’s youth, who constitute over 60% of the population and are increasingly disillusioned with the country’s direction.
Senegal has faced rising inflation in recent years, which has strained the economic conditions for many citizens. Additionally, the country is a significant source of irregular migration to Europe, with thousands attempting perilous journeys each year in search of better opportunities.
As Faye prepares to take advantage of his party’s newfound majority, the focus will be on whether he can fulfill his reform agenda and address the pressing economic challenges facing Senegal.
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