(Ecofin Agency) - With over 78% of the seats, PASTEF is now the majority party in the Senegalese Parliament. According to observers, this victory should give the new regime a clear path to implement its reform agenda.

In the November 17, 2024 legislative elections, the Patriotes Africains du Sénégal pour le Travail, l'Éthique et la Fraternité (PASTEF) secured an overwhelming victory, winning 130 out of 165 seats, according to Senegal’s National Election Commission. This "crushing" win gives the ruling party full control of both the executive and legislative branches of the government.

With a voter turnout of around 50%, the results confirm a shift in Senegal's political landscape, following Bassirou Diomaye Faye's victory in the presidential election. Despite the candidacy of former President Macky Sall, the opposition coalition Takku Wallu only managed to win 16 seats.

Political analysts view PASTEF's triumph as a sign of public rejection of an aging political class and a desire for a new, more inclusive, and transparent approach to governance. This win gives President Diomaye Faye and his Prime Minister, Ousmane Sonko, the mandate to implement the "break" policy they promised during the campaign.

Diomaye Faye, who took office in April 2024, committed to deep reforms but faced tensions with a Parliament previously dominated by Macky Sall’s allies. In response to this deadlock, the president dissolved the National Assembly and called for these early legislative elections.

“There is a lot of hope and especially high expectations from the public for concrete actions that the new regime must take to turn the country around, especially given the many financial and land scandals currently making headlines,” says Azil Momar Lô, a fact-checking journalist at Africa Check. “PASTEF has always promised a new way of functioning in Parliament, free from the flaws seen in previous administrations. Now that they have the majority, we expect them to deliver on what they’ve always said,” he adds.

However, PASTEF faces significant challenges ahead. Economically, they will be closely watched as they handle the scandal of "hidden" debt, revealed by a government audit. The new administration has promised to prosecute those responsible for financial misconduct in the previous regime.

“There is a lot of talk about activating the high court of justice to ensure accountability, because many expect senior figures from the former regime—who enjoyed legal privileges—to be called to account. We expect the new Parliament to pass laws in this regard,” explains Azil Lô.

Beyond accountability, other pressing issues await the new government: tackling the cost of living, creating jobs, reforming the judiciary, and fighting corruption. In October, the government unveiled its five-year plan (2025-2029), valued at $31 billion, focused on economic competitiveness, human capital, social equity, sustainable development, and good governance.

In the short term, attention will be on the adoption of the 2025 budget. With IMF disbursements suspended, Senegal's financial partners will be closely monitoring the country's debt management strategy.