Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has dissolved the opposition-led parliament, triggering early elections set for November 17. Citing difficulties working with the assembly after it refused to discuss the budget law and support his efforts to reform state institutions, Faye stated that he was turning to the people for the “institutional means” to fulfill his promised reforms.
Faye, who was elected in March on an anti-establishment platform with 54% of the vote, is widely popular. His party, PASTEF, is expected to perform well in the upcoming elections. However, the opposition, led by former President Macky Sall’s Benno Bokk Yaakar coalition, has condemned the dissolution, accusing Faye of perjury.
Since his election, Faye has been unable to implement key reforms, including fighting corruption and securing more of Senegal’s natural resources for its citizens, due to opposition in the assembly. The new elections could shift the balance of power in favor of Faye’s agenda.
