By Biran Gaye
The National Assembly of Senegal is set to consider a bill that seeks to reinstate the post of prime minister in its internal regulations, marking a significant step in facilitating Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko to declare his government’s policies and plans before lawmakers.
This follows the ultimatum given by Prime Minister Sonko to present his policy statement outlining his government’s policies, plans, and priorities if the assembly does not restore the post of prime minister in its rules by July 15, 2024.
The new bill, tabled by Nafissatou Diallo and Serigne Abo Mbacké Thiam of PDS, and Ibrahima Diop to amend and supplement the internal regulations of the National Assembly, has been submitted for consideration. It aims to update the rules following the reintroduction of the post of Prime Minister.
On December 20, 2021, Law No. 2021-41, which amends the Constitution, was promulgated, restoring the position of Prime Minister. This constitutional amendment requires an update of the National Assembly’s internal regulations to reflect the institutional and organizational changes made. Relying on Article 60 of the internal regulations, lawmakers submit the proposal for the consideration of the bill.
This law proposal aims to adjust the internal regulations of the National Assembly to the new institutional realities resulting from the restoration of the position of Prime Minister, which the previous law does not recognise. This involves in particular the revision of legislative procedures and parliamentary control mechanisms to align with the new executive structure.
