Senegal’s Pastef Celebrates ‘Historic Victory’ in Parliamentary Elections

Senegal’s ruling party, Pastef, has declared a resounding success in the country’s parliamentary elections, with preliminary results showing a dominant lead.

Government officials have confirmed that Pastef has secured a commanding majority, setting the stage for President Bassirou Diomaye Faye to advance his bold economic and social reforms.

This victory is seen as a crucial mandate for Faye to implement the radical policies he campaigned on during his March election, emphasizing economic transformation and social justice.

Opposition figures, including former Prime Minister Amadou Ba and Dakar’s Mayor Barthelemy Dias, have conceded defeat, even though some votes are still being counted.

Official results are expected later today. While the elections were largely peaceful, there were some clashes between party supporters leading up to the vote. Government spokesperson Amadou Moustapha Ndieck Sarre expressed his gratitude for the public’s support, hailing the “significant victory” Pastef has secured.

However, the exact number of seats won by the party has not been disclosed. Pastef needs at least 83 seats in the 165-seat National Assembly to secure a majority.

Despite this triumph, Faye and Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, who is barred from running for president, have faced challenges in pushing through reforms due to a strong opposition presence in the parliament.

The pair, campaigning on an Afrocentric, nationalist platform, have vowed to recalibrate Senegal’s relationship with France and crack down on corruption.

As the youngest elected president in Africa at 44, Faye has rallied the youth with promises of economic opportunities and social equity, though significant challenges remain, including high unemployment and strained public finances.

Meanwhile, former President Macky Sall, now in exile, has alleged “massive electoral fraud” without offering evidence, heightening political tensions in Senegal.