Senegal’s Former Ruling Parties Form Coalition Ahead of November Snap Poll, Threaten President Faye’s Reform Agenda

Senegal’s two former ruling parties have joined forces ahead of the snap legislative election scheduled for November 17.

The Alliance for the Republic (APR) party of ex-president Macky Sall and the Senegalese Democratic Party (PDS) of former president Abdoulaye Wade announced their coalition on Sunday, a direct challenge to recently-elected President Bassirou Diomaye Faye.

The APR and PDS, holding 106 out of 165 seats in the recently dissolved National Assembly, aim to secure a majority in the upcoming elections, potentially disrupting Faye’s ambitious reform plans.

Faye, who came to power in April after a sweeping electoral victory, dissolved the opposition-dominated parliament on September 12, citing difficulty passing key bills.

In a televised address following the dissolution, President Faye emphasised the need for a new mandate from the people to push forward his systemic transformation agenda.

The APR and PDS coalition, however, threatens to derail this, positioning itself as a powerful opposition force that could thwart Faye’s efforts.

The two parties, once political adversaries, announced that their alliance remains open to other political groups and allies, seeking a broad coalition to challenge Faye’s Pastef party in the November poll.

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