Senegal’s National Assembly on 29 June 2026 unanimously approved a major constitutional reform package, with all 129 lawmakers present voting in favour after opposition members boycotted the session following heated confrontations in parliament.
Justice Minister Moussa Sarr announced that the reforms would be submitted to a national referendum, although no date has yet been set. The move comes amid concerns over costs and the country’s already crowded electoral calendar ahead of local elections in January 2027.
The proposed changes amend 29 constitutional articles, strengthening the powers of the Prime Minister and the National Assembly, preventing the president from leading a political party, replacing the Constitutional Council with a nine-member Constitutional Court, and limiting presidential dissolution of parliament to once per term.
Critics argue that the reforms are designed to benefit National Assembly Speaker Ousmane Sonko, while the ruling Pastef party maintains that the measures stem from recommendations made during the 2025 National Dialogue and the 2024 Justice Conference.