Neither the clashes between supporters of the different parties, nor the calls for violence from Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, have been able to undermine the democratic wisdom of the Senegalese people.
In the space of six months, voters peacefully elected President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and they have just granted him what appears to be a large parliamentary majority following last Sunday’s legislative elections.
A tradition in Senegal
For Mamadou Mignane Diouf, coordinator of the Social Forum in Senegal, it is a tradition in Senegal.
“The Senegalese have always voted, notwithstanding the speeches, attitudes and acts of violence that the political class would commit or could continue to commit. At the time to vote, they calmly leave their house to go vote and return without something which could taint this act of voting”believes Mamadou Mignane Diouf.
“A new type of Parliament”
The large majority that is expected in the National Assembly for Pastef, the ruling party, is however not a blank check for Bassirou Diomaye Faye and his government, assures Ibrahima Aïdara, director of the public policy department of the Laboratory analysis of societies and powers at Saint-Louis University.
“Fortunately the opposition will be represented in the new Parliament, even if it is a weak representation. By giving the majority to the ruling party, the Senegalese expect a new type of Parliament. The Senegalese no longer want this mechanical majority Parliament which, without thinking, validates any public policy proposed by the executive power”estimates Ibrahima Aïdara.
Young people are the main actors in this new political dynamic. If their expectations are not met, warns the coordinator of the Social Forum, Mamadou Mignane Diouf, we should then expect reactions of discontent from young people.
Senegal
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