After the victory of Bassirou Diomaye Faye in the first round of the presidential election, it was a cold shower in the ranks of the outgoing president’s coalition. Will Benno Bokk Yakaar (“United by hope” in Wolof), created in 2012 around Macky Sall, overcome this failure?
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With our special correspondent in Dakar, Charlotte Idrac
Is the coalition which was a “war machine” about to explode? Divisions came to light within the coalition around Macky Sall, Benno Bokk Yakaar, during the campaign. Officials have publicly released the power candidate Amadou Ba.
When the time comes to take stock, the coalition “ will play its role », assures former minister Zahra Iyane Thiam. “ All components of the Benno Bokk Yaakar coalition have sovereignty over their lives. For us it will be a matter of taking stock. Today that we are changing status, I think that Amadou Ba becomes the leader of the opposition “, she says.
Twelve years ago, the coalition was formed around pillars: Macky Sall’s APR, Moustapha Niasse’s AFP, Idrissa Seck’s Rewmi – who has since left the ship -, and the Socialist Party where “ reflection is open », According to its spokesperson Abdoulaye Vilane. “ I meet with some officials. Many of them tell us “well now, let’s commit to the reconstruction of the Socialist Party and initiate a framework for consultation with those whose ideological references are closer to social democracy. Everything is possible “, he says. Would a rapprochement with the new president’s camp be possible? “ For his comrades, there is no question at all of being with the Diomaye coalition », replies Abdoulaye Vilane.
There is also the question of a possible dissolution of the Assembly by the new president, which would only be possible from September, two years after the installation of the deputies. The Benno Bokk Yakaar parliamentary group has a very short and very fragile majority.
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