What will the Pds be doing in the presidential election? It’s a question worth pondering. Wade’s son will have to draw a clear line. His choice will certainly be guided by the desire to play a greater role and the harsh reality of the quest for power. An alliance with Benno bokk yaakaar (Bby) is a guarantee of considerable influence on the outcome of this presidential election.

The wine has been poured. One must drink it. The Senegalese Democratic Party (Pds) can look back on its failure, as its candidate has been definitively eliminated from the presidential race. The Constitutional Council has annulled the decree revoking the decree convening the electoral college for 25 February 2024. The amendment to article 31 of the Constitution extending the term of office of the President of the Republic to allow him to organise the presidential election on 15 December 2024 will not be effective. This is because it is contrary to the Constitution. This means that Karim Wade will not be taking part in the presidential election, since the 7 « Wise Men » have imposed that it be held before the end of the current term of office.

New Date for the Presidential Election: Macky Starts his Consultations

As if that wasn’t enough, the Pds, or at least its members, who have accused two constitutional judges of corruption, are about to suffer the effects of the opening of a judicial investigation by the Public Prosecutor’s Office following the complaint by constitutional judge Cheikh Ndiaye concerning their accusations. In the space of a few days, the Pds has gone from a party with presidential ambitions to a kingmaker. Certain that it will not field a candidate, what will the Pds do?  An alliance with the majority is more than likely. Indeed, if the risk of dislocation theorised by Woré Sarr, in the event of her party remaining in opposition, is proven, the Pds should make a choice. Between Bassirou Diomaye Faye, Khalifa Sall, Idrissa Seck and Amadou Ba, Karim Wade is unlikely to give any instructions in favour of the « Patriots », given the presence of Mimi Touré, the face of the hunt for ill-gotten gains, within the « Diomaye Président » coalition. The distance Idy has created between himself and the Father of Sopi is not in his favour. The risk of remaining in opposition is high with Khalifa Sall, given the uncertainty about the latter’s real capacity to mobilise.

Consequences of the Constitutional Council’s Decision: Karim, the Big Loser

But with Amadou Ba, the Pds could have an important role to play. In fact, according to the results of the 2022 legislative elections, the Benno and Wallu coalitions together accounted for 61% of the vote. This would guarantee Amadou Ba victory in the first round. This is a major argument for the Pds. For Benno bokk yaakaar, a possible alliance with the Pds would make up for the departures of Boun Dionne, Aly Ngouille Ndiaye and Mame Boye Diao in terms of votes. This alliance could limit the ability of certain members of the majority to cause harm.  Indeed, with the political tension of the last few days, Macky Sall has a clearer idea of who might not throw their support behind Amadou Ba. The position of certain ministers, who have not failed to mark their distance from the majority candidate, accused of corruption, could be fatal to the Bby Coalition, if it does not obtain an alliance with the Pds. Undermined from within, Benno would find almost all-risk insurance with the Pds.

With the likely political reconfiguration of the post-Presidential era, the Pds would certainly not say no to an ally who could help it secure the presidency of the National Assembly.

By Malick GAYE / mgaye@lequotidien.sn

  • Translation by Ndey T. SOSSEH