Senegal's Ruling Coalition Loses Absolute Majority in Parliament

Senegalese President Macky Sall's ruling coalition has lost its parliamentary majority, the country's electoral commission said on Thursday August 4, 2022. The Benno Bokk Yakaar (BBY) coalition won only 82 out of 165 seats following a legislative election held on Sunday July 31. Deutsche Welle reports that this is the first time since the  country's independence in 1960 that the ruling party's camp has lost that majority and will have to rely on other forces in parliament to pass legislation.

The BBY has a slim majority over the 80 seats that went to opposition coalition Yewwi Askane (56) and their allies Wallu Senegal (24). Three other seats were won by three small coalitions, who could serve as kingmakers.

The opposition had previously warned that Sall could be aiming to use his majority to change the rules to allow him to run for a third term in 2024.

InFocus

A Senegalese voting queue (file photo).

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