On this momentous day of the Senegalese legislative elections, preliminary results were revealed to the general public, confirming the resounding victory of the ruling party, Pastef. These results highlight a superior performance of Pastef members compared to the two main opposition parties, placing them in the lead in 40 of the country’s 46 departments and in 7 of the 8 diaspora constituencies.
The growing popularity of President Bassirou Faye and his party cannot be underestimated, and these results attest to their hold on territories considered strongholds of former President Macky Sall. Only six departments resisted Pastef’s rise to power, consolidating its dominance eight months after coming to power and securing a strong mandate for its reform agenda.
Faye’s meteoric rise to power last April, after a landslide victory in the presidential election, raised high hopes among a largely young population facing rampant unemployment and soaring inflation. His promises to fight corruption and improve living conditions brought a wave of optimism to the country.
However, just six months later, Faye took the decision to dissolve parliament, blaming opposition MPs for obstructing the implementation of the promised changes. Pastef’s landslide victory in the legislative elections has profoundly altered the country’s electoral map, giving the party unprecedented power to implement its ambitious agenda.
This historic turning point appears to mark the culmination of a new era for Senegal, with prospects for significant reforms and change on the horizon. It is now up to Pastef to deliver on the expectations placed on it by the Senegalese population and shape a better future for all.