Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s Pastef party has secured 130 out of 165 parliamentary seats in the recent legislative elections, according to results announced by the national vote counting commission. Faye, who assumed office in April, dissolved parliament in September, citing opposition resistance to his legislative proposals. The newly elected majority is expected to aid him in delivering on promises of job creation, lower prices, and improved services. Faye’s first challenge will be to address Senegal’s fiscal crisis, which includes negotiating with the IMF to resume a stalled $1.9 billion program. The loan was put on hold after an audit revealed the country’s debt and deficit were larger than the previous administration reported. Pastef’s representative, Amadou Ba, stated that the election results bolster the government’s legitimacy and should encourage the nation’s international partners.
SOURCE: REUTERS