Former Senegalese President Macky Sall has announced his candidacy for the November 17 parliamentary elections, leading the opposition coalition “Takku Wallu Senegal” (translated as “Let’s Unite to Save Senegal” in Wolof). Sall, who served as Senegal’s president from 2012 to 2024, tops the coalition’s list of candidates.
The coalition, formed in September, includes Sall’s Alliance for the Republic (APR) and other opposition parties, such as the Senegalese Democratic Party (PDS) led by former President Abdoulaye Wade. It aims to secure a majority in the 165-member parliament.
A Critical Election
The parliamentary elections come after President Bassirou Diomaye Faye dissolved the opposition-controlled legislature in September, citing challenges in implementing his government’s agenda. The elections will determine the balance of power in Senegal’s parliament, which serves a five-year term.
Senegal’s electoral system allocates 112 seats based on the winning list in each district, with the remaining 53 seats distributed proportionally according to the national vote share.
Sall’s Return to Politics
Sall accepted his nomination for parliament, stating his intention to hold the government accountable. He criticized President Faye’s administration for reversing economic gains made during his presidency, while Faye’s government claims to have inherited a poorly managed state.
Though Sall could win a parliamentary seat, he may choose to delegate the position to another coalition member.
A Competitive Race
Sall’s coalition will face stiff competition from the ruling PASTEF party, led by President Faye and Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko. Over 30 other political parties are also participating in the election, with nearly 7.4 million voters registered in the country of 18 million.
This marks another significant chapter in Senegal’s democratic journey, following a 2016 referendum that reduced presidential terms from seven to five years. Sall left office in April 2024, succeeded by President Faye, who is 44 years old.
