Senegal’s Pastef Party Secures Majority in Parliamentary Elections
Senegal’s President, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, and his Pastef party have emerged victorious in the recent legislative elections, securing 130 out of 165 parliamentary seats. The results, announced by the national vote counting commission, reflect a significant shift in the country’s political landscape.
President Faye, who took office in April, made the decision to dissolve parliament in September due to opposition resistance to his proposed legislative changes. With the newly elected majority in parliament, Faye is now poised to implement his agenda, which includes pledges to create jobs, reduce prices, and enhance public services.
One of President Faye’s immediate challenges will be addressing Senegal’s fiscal crisis, which involves renegotiating with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to restart a stalled $1.9 billion program. The program was put on hold following an audit that uncovered discrepancies in the country’s debt and deficit figures, which were larger than previously reported by the previous administration.
Amadou Ba, a representative of Pastef, expressed confidence in the election results, emphasizing that they strengthen the government’s legitimacy and should instill confidence in Senegal’s international partners.
SOURCE: REUTERS
