The Senegalese National Assembly rejected on Monday evening a draft constitutional revision presented by the new authorities and considered a harbinger of a dissolution of the parliament hostile to power. The deputies voted 83 to 80 against the plan to abolish two consultative institutions, after heated debates broadcast on social networks.
The new president, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, elected in March, and his prime minister, Ousmane Sonko, do not have a majority in the National Assembly elected in 2022, where the camp of former president Macky Sall continues to dominate.
In the Senegalese system, MM Faye and Sonko need a parliamentary majority to implement the disruptive policies they have promised in the name of left-wing pan-Africanism and social justice. The president can dissolve the Assembly, but not before two legislative years. He will be able to do so from September 12, the press reported, citing a ruling by the Constitutional Council consulted by the government.
The antagonism hampered the government’s action. To date, the Prime Minister has not delivered a general policy speech to the Assembly. The government’s presentation of a seemingly doomed constitutional revision bill was widely seen as a prelude to the dissolution of the Assembly.
The review would have abolished the High Council of Local Authorities and the Economic, Social and Environmental Council. MM. Faye and Sonko promised to abolish these two institutions. Justice Minister Ousmane Diagne spoke to MPs about the need to make better use of public money.
The former president’s coalition accused the government of using a pretext to provoke legislative elections and shield the prime minister from a general policy statement. One of its members, Abdou Mbow, announced the presentation of a motion of no confidence against the government.
