“I am staying in the Prime Minister’s Office and wish all members of parliament a successful term,” Sonko stated in an interview with journalists from national broadcaster RTS, shortly after submitting his “letter of resignation” from parliament. He had arrived early that day, when the members of the fifteenth legislature were officially installed following the early legislative elections on November 17.
Following the decisive victory of the PASTEF list that he led, there was much speculation regarding whether he would choose to head the National Assembly or continue in his role as Prime Minister. PASTEF, the ruling party, secured 130 out of the 165 parliamentary seats, enabling Sonko to conclude the debate on his role; most supporters had advised him to remain in the Prime Minister’s Office to lead the “Systemic Transformation Project,” which he presented to Senegal and helped his party come to power in April, appointing Bassirou Diomaye Faye as the head of state.
With PASTEF now holding full power, Sonko, who has communicated with party deputies, expressed confidence that the 15th legislature will be an “Assembly of real change and innovation.”
“There is much work to be done in management and administration, as well as in fulfilling the responsibilities assigned to the Assembly. It must no longer be seen as merely a receiving institution; it must forge its own path and fully embrace its role as outlined by the Constitution,” the Prime Minister asserted.
ODL/ac/Sf/fss/abj/APA