Senegal’s Constitutional Council has validated a sweeping parliamentary victory for the ruling Pastef party, securing its ability to govern decisively.
The final tally awards Pastef 130 out of 165 parliamentary seats, marking one of the largest single-party majorities in the nation’s history.
This result bolsters President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, elected in March, who vowed to address Senegal’s unemployment crisis and economic challenges.
Faye’s legislative agenda had been stalled by an opposition-dominated parliament, prompting him to dissolve the assembly at his earliest constitutional opportunity.
Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, a former opposition leader, played a pivotal role in the campaign, rallying voters with Pastef’s pan-Africanist platform.
The election dealt a sharp blow to the opposition. Coalitions led by ex-president Macky Sall and his protégé Amadou Ba won just 16 and seven seats, respectively.
Dakar’s fiery mayor, Barthelemy Dias, gained three seats, his dramatic debates with Sonko captivating the electorate during the campaign.
Independent candidate Tahirou Sarr claimed a single seat after a divisive campaign laced with nationalist rhetoric and criticism of minority communities.
While past governments have achieved stronger parliamentary dominance, those victories relied on coalitions, unlike Pastef’s solo triumph.
For context, the Socialist Party under Abdou Diouf won 103 out of 120 seats in 1988, but as part of a coalition effort.
With this unprecedented majority, Pastef is poised to implement transformative policies aimed at reshaping Senegal’s economic and political landscape.