The election aims to fill the 165 seats in Senegal’s National Assembly for five-year terms. Faye’s governing Pastef party, buoyed by his resounding presidential victory, is widely expected to secure a majority, allowing the administration to implement its policy initiatives unimpeded.
In September, Faye dissolved the opposition-led parliament, citing legislative gridlock that hindered his government’s efforts to address the country’s pressing challenges, including high inflation and a youth unemployment rate exceeding 20%.
“I hope Pastef will win the elections to gain a majority so that they can better carry out their mandate,” said Pascal Goudiaby, a 56-year-old voter in Dakar.
Mademba Ndiaye, a 20-year-old first-time voter, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of civic engagement. “If we don’t vote, we can’t really complain about what happens in society afterwards,” he said.
Faye’s administration, underpinned by a leftist pan-African vision, has pledged to diversify Senegal’s economic and political alliances, renegotiate extractive industry contracts, and reclaim what it describes as the nation’s sovereignty. Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, a controversial figure who mentored Faye, has played a central role in shaping this agenda.
Sonko, a firebrand opposition leader turned government official, has previously criticized foreign economic interests in Senegal, particularly in hydrocarbons and fisheries. During Sunday’s vote in Ziguinchor, Sonko called for calm, emphasizing the importance of peaceful democratic expression.
Despite the administration’s sweeping promises, challenges remain. An audit revealed a larger-than-expected budget deficit, prompting Moody’s to downgrade Senegal’s credit rating. Meanwhile, an ambitious 25-year development plan introduced by Faye’s government has been met with skepticism amid accusations of inaction and amateurism from opposition leaders.
Turnout for the parliamentary elections appeared lower than in the presidential race, reflecting historical trends where voters tend to reinforce their choices in legislative polls. Many voters prioritized economic concerns, particularly the rising cost of living.
“We want life to be less expensive for Senegalese,” said Toure Aby, a 56-year-old voter in Dakar. “Everything’s expensive: water, electricity, food.”
The opposition, while fragmented, remains vocal. Former President Macky Sall, now leading an opposition coalition from abroad, continues to influence the political landscape. Other prominent opposition figures, including former Prime Minister Amadou Ba and Dakar Mayor Barthelemy Dias, head competing coalitions.
The political stakes are high, as the opposition accuses the government of using legislative dissolution to consolidate power and settle political scores.
Despite the charged political climate, Senegal has largely maintained its reputation as a democratic outlier in West Africa, a region often marred by coups and instability.
Observers noted sporadic clashes during the campaign, but the voting process itself was peaceful. “Democracy is expressed in peace and stability, and I believe that in a democracy there is no room for violence,” Sonko said.
As vote counting progresses, results are expected to solidify by Monday. For Faye’s administration, a legislative majority would provide the political leverage needed to pursue its reformist vision. However, the weight of public expectations remains a formidable challenge in a country grappling with economic hardship and a growing number of citizens risking perilous migration journeys to Europe.
For Senegal, the outcome of this election could set the tone for its political and economic trajectory in the coming years.
