DAKAR – Senegalese citizens are heading to the polls on Sunday to elect members of the national assembly in a high-stakes legislative election that could shape the country’s political landscape amid a spiraling fiscal crisis and fears of unrest. The results will determine whether the ruling government, under recently elected President Ousmane Sonko, will secure a majority to push through its proposed reforms.
The election campaign has grown increasingly intense, with Sonko, known for his assertive rhetoric, urging his supporters to “take revenge” for alleged attacks against them, warning opponents not to mistake the government’s restraint for weakness. “We could have used our strength, but we didn’t,” Sonko said, signaling his readiness to confront any challenges that may arise.
The upcoming vote arrives at a difficult moment for Senegal, as the government grapples with a worsening debt crisis, compounded by soaring inflation and economic challenges. Prime Minister Sonko has promised economic reforms to address these issues, but the government’s fiscal health remains in question. A previously planned $1.9 billion IMF support program is currently on hold while the government conducts an audit of what it claims was a significantly underestimated budget deficit inherited from the previous administration.
With the economy and jobs at the forefront of voters’ minds, the stakes are high. Cheikh Diagne, a street vendor in Dakar, voiced the frustrations shared by many citizens: “We want a lower cost of living, affordable water, electricity, and transport, so everyone can work and live decently.” The election has also drawn particular attention due to Senegal’s growing youth population, who are increasingly frustrated by limited job opportunities and high costs of living.
In this political landscape, Sonko’s ruling Pastef party faces competition from an unexpected alliance between two opposition parties, one of which is led by former President Macky Sall’s Republic party (APR). The race has been further complicated by another opposition coalition led by Dakar’s popular mayor, Barthelemy Dias, who has clashed with Pastef supporters throughout the campaign.
Despite these challenges, Senegalese political analyst Babacar Ndiaye believes that voters will support the current administration in a bid to stabilize governance. “When they choose a president, they then give that president the means to work and govern,” he noted. Historically, Senegalese voters have tended to support the president in parliamentary elections, enabling smoother governance.
Voting for the 165-seat national assembly opens at 8 a.m. local time, with over 7 million registered voters choosing from 41 parties and coalitions. Polls will close at 6 p.m.