The upcoming legislative elections in Senegal promise to be a crucial moment for the country’s political scene, with major stakes that could make it look like a second round of the recent presidential election. The two main forces in the race, Takku Wallu Senegal and Pastef, have invested strong personalities as leaders, drawing a confrontation that is capturing the attention of political observers.
Former head of state Macky Sall, an emblematic figure in Senegalese politics, finds himself propelled as the head of the national list for the Takku Wallu Senegal coalition. This alliance, bringing together his own party, the APR, Karim Wade’s PDS and many other movements, sees Macky Sall as a natural choice, due to his striking personality and his appreciated record within the alliance. Macky Sall’s return to the forefront of the political scene, after a period of absence since his departure from power, marks the real start of the electoral campaign for this crucial election.
On the other side, Pastef, currently in power, has set its sights on Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko to lead its list in the legislative elections. This strategic choice shows Pastef’s desire to consolidate its position and win a majority in the National Assembly, in a merciless fight for control of legislative power.
The division within the opposition, between the different coalitions led by influential political figures such as Macky Sall, former Prime Minister Amadou Ba and Dakar Mayor Barthélémy Dias, complicates the situation for a common electoral strategy. Despite attempts to find common ground to avoid a dispersion of votes, differences persist. Only two agreements have been reached on the country’s 46 departments, which highlights the challenges to overcome for a fragmented opposition determined to counter the ruling party.
In this tense political context, Senegalese are preparing to vote with the hope of seeing a new dynamic emerge within their country. These legislative elections could well be the scene of a political renewal or a consolidation of the established order, with the intertwined destinies of emblematic figures of the Senegalese political scene as a backdrop.