After the press, the new government attacks political parties

Senegal, often praised for its democratic vitality, could initiate a decisive shift in the management of its political space. According to the newspaper L’Observateur in its edition this Monday, the current regime is considering tackling the proliferation of political parties by launching a project to “rationalize the public space”.

With around 400 registered groups, the Senegalese political landscape seems saturated, making it difficult for citizens to understand it. This initiative is part of a desire to modernize democratic functioning, following similar efforts in the media sector. However, the terms and timetable for this reform still remain unclear. According to the experts interviewed by the daily, strict application of legal provisions would be enough to clean things up.

→ ALSO READ: “Yes, I chose Senegal”: Yehvann Diouf confirms his arrival in the national team

Magaye Kassé, member of the political bureau of the Independence and Labor Party (PIT), emphasizes that no training fully meets the legal criteria in force. These requirements include the existence of functional bodies, such as a central committee or a secretariat, and the regular publication of financial statements. “ If the law were applied, we would not have more than 200 parties in this country,” he says.

Ousmane Badiane, in charge of elections to the Democratic League (LD), also points out the lack of financial transparency. “Neither the ruling party or coalition nor the opposition publishes its accounts. Applying the law to some while sparing others would be inequitable,” he says. The rationalization of political parties could strengthen the credibility of the Senegalese democratic system. However, the challenge lies in impartial application of the laws, at the risk of transforming this initiative into a tool of political control. While awaiting concrete measures, the future of this reform remains dependent on the intentions of President Diomaye Faye and his government.

→ ALSO READ: Loss of Dakar town hall: Momar Thiam confirms the bad news for Barthélémy Dias

→ ALSO READ: Ligue 1: PSG flies to the top of the standings after its victory against Lyon