Senegal’s Constitutional Council has officially confirmed a decisive victory for the ruling Pastef party in the recent parliamentary elections, granting it a commanding majority in the National Assembly. With 130 of the 165 seats, this marks one of the largest single-party majorities in the nation’s history.
The landslide win strengthens President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s position, allowing him to push forward with his pan-Africanist agenda. Faye, who assumed office in March, campaigned on a platform to address soaring unemployment and economic challenges following years of political turmoil. However, an opposition-led parliament had previously hindered his efforts to enact leftist reforms, prompting him to dissolve the assembly at the first constitutional opportunity.
Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, a former opposition leader, played a pivotal role in securing the victory. His nationwide campaign energized support for Pastef’s platform, solidifying the party’s dominance.
The opposition suffered significant losses. Coalitions led by former President Macky Sall and his ally Amadou Ba secured only 16 and seven seats, respectively. Dakar Mayor Barthélémy Dias’ movement managed three seats, while independent candidate Tahirou Sarr gained one seat after a controversial campaign emphasizing nationalist rhetoric.
Although Senegal has seen larger parliamentary majorities in the past, they were achieved through coalition-building, making Pastef’s single-party success particularly notable. This result underscores a shift in Senegalese politics and paves the way for the government to implement its ambitious reforms.
