2024-11-18 16:43:00
In Senegal, Pastef won its bet. Eight months after the triumphant election of Bassirou Diomaye Faye, his presidential candidate, Ousmane Sonko’s party is on the verge of obtaining a large absolute majority in Parliament, according to the first estimates published the day after the legislative elections of November 17 .
Even before the announcement of the first official results, expected on Tuesday evening at the latest, the heads of the opposition list conceded their defeat, like former president Macky Sall, who sent his congratulations to Pastef.
On September 12, Bassirou Diomaye Faye dissolved the Assembly, mostly won over by the former presidential majority, and called a new vote, hoping to obtain the majority necessary for the implementation of his “rupture” program, based on the “economic sovereignty” of the country.
Favorable balance of power
In this campaign, Pastef was considered the big favorite, eight months after the victory of its candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye, elected in the first round of the presidential election with 54.28% of the votes, far ahead of the candidate of power, the former Prime Minister Amadou Ba (35.79%).
The legislative elections were seen as the return match of the presidential election, with an additional difficulty for the former majority, now divided into two blocs with on one side the Takku Wallu coalition, led by Macky Sall – bringing together his party, the APR ( Alliance for the Republic), and the PDS (Senegalese Democratic Party) of former president Abdoulaye Wade – and on the other the Jamm ak Njarin coalition, led by the unsuccessful presidential candidate Amadou Ba.
A split which reflects the tensions, already visible during the presidential election, between Macky Sall, who initially aimed to compete for a third term, and his Prime Minister, chosen as candidate by the party, whose candidacy he had paid lip service to. .
“Amadou Ba was not Macky Sall’s choice, but he was chosen because he appeared to be the one who had the most chance of winning. The outgoing president gave the feeling of abandoning him during the campaign, which explains this rupture”, analyzes Saliou Ngom, doctor in political sociology at the University of Paris-1 Panthéon-Sorbonne and researcher at the Fundamental Institute of Black Africa (IFAN) at Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar.
“By leaving in dispersed order, the opposition shot itself in the foot, because the voting method in the legislative elections [un système mixte combinant le scrutin majoritaire et la représentation proportionnelle, NDLR] favors large political parties or coalitions. Finally, Pastef’s victory in the legislative elections was predictable, because these elections are systematically won by the party in power”, underlines the researcher.
Also readSenegal: how to explain the victory of Bassirou Diomaye Faye in the first round?
Victory without coalition
If all the lights seemed green for Pastef, the strategy adopted by Ousmane Sonko’s party was not without risks, since he also made the choice to compete alone. In September, the Prime Minister announced the inauguration of a single list, that of Pastef. A decision which had raised eyebrows within the “Diomaye President” coalition which had brought the latter to power.
“Pastef felt little support from the Senegalese political class during the three years of political-judicial conflict between Ousmane Sonko and Macky Sall,” underlines Saliou Ngom. “The choice of going to the legislative elections alone was certainly riskier, but it also offered the possibility of winning alone and installing a majority made up of activists loyal and committed to its cause in the Assembly.”
In addition to the coalitions led by Macky Sall and Amadou Ba, Pastef also faced one of its former allies during this election: the mayor of Dakar, Barthélémy Dias, with whom the exchanges were particularly violent.
On November 12, Ousmane Sonko accused his supporters of having attacked Pastef activists and called for revenge, before softening his tone. A controversy which did not harm him, if we are to believe the results of the vote.
“As head of the Pastef list, Ousmane Sonko sought to establish his legitimacy during this election,” explains Alioune Tin, president of the Afrikajom repair center. “The choice to go it alone was a calculated risk. Because Pastef is not only the best structured party on a national scale – the only one capable of investing in almost all of the departments – but it also benefits from the logistical means of the state apparatus Finally, he enjoys strong support among the population, particularly among young people who believe in his program of change.
This resounding victory allows the Senegalese government to have free rein to implement its ambitious program, focused on employment, institutional reform, food sovereignty and even the fight against corruption.
“Through this election, the Senegalese people have confirmed the confidence placed in the Pastef project. It is a resounding victory for the camp in power, which commits it. Because with the majority in Parliament, it can no longer do so. have excuses in the event of broken promises,” said Saliou Ngom.
Also readBassirou Diomaye Faye-Emmanuel Macron meeting: a turning point for the Franco-Senegalese relationship?
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**Interview with Saliou Ngom, Political Sociologist and Researcher at Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar**
*New Editor:* Thank you for joining us, Saliou. The recent legislative elections in Senegal have resulted in a significant victory for Pastef. What are the implications of this outcome for Senegal’s political landscape?
*Saliou Ngom:* Thank you for having me. Pastef’s victory signifies a critical shift in Senegal’s political dynamics. With Bassirou Diomaye Faye at the helm, the party is on the verge of achieving a large absolute majority in Parliament, which will enable them to implement their “rupture” program focused on economic sovereignty. This could reshape policymaking in the country and signal a move away from the politics of the former presidential majority that has prevailed for so long.
*New Editor:* Former President Macky Sall and other opposition leaders have already conceded defeat. How does this reflect on their political standing?
*Saliou Ngom:* It certainly illustrates the weakened position of the traditional parties. Macky Sall’s coalition was split, which demonstrated internal divisions and a lack of a coherent strategy. The failure of both Sall and Amadou Ba to unify their support likely contributed to their downfall. This suggests that opposition parties may need to reevaluate their alliances and strategies moving forward.
*New Editor:* Pastef chose to enter these elections without forming coalitions. What risks did this strategy entail, and why did they decide to proceed that way?
*Saliou Ngom:* Competing alone was indeed a high-risk strategy, as it often disadvantages smaller parties in mixed electoral systems. However, Pastef calculated that uniting under a single candidate would consolidate their base and bring loyal supporters into Parliament. The political-judicial conflicts with the previous regime may have strained their relationships with other political entities, leading them to trust in their own party’s strength rather than rely on potentially unreliable partners.
*New Editor:* Given the current political climate and the recent electoral results, what future challenges do you think Pastef might face?
*Saliou Ngom:* Pastef will need to deliver on their promises and manage expectations carefully. The public will be looking for tangible results, especially concerning economic issues. Furthermore, the newly acquired power could provoke pushback from the remnants of the old guard, leading to possible political tension. Maintaining unity within their ranks and advancing their agenda will be crucial for sustaining their popularity in the coming years.
*New Editor:* Thank you for your insights, Saliou. It will be interesting to see how the situation unfolds in Senegal as Pastef assumes a more prominent role in governance.
*Saliou Ngom:* Thank you for having me. It’s a pivotal moment in Senegal’s history, and I look forward to observing how these changes will shape the future of the nation.
