Senegalese parliamentary election, 2001
Encyclopedia
An election for the National Assembly of Senegal
was held on 29 April 2001. The election was held under the new constitution approved by referendum earlier in the year. Following the victory of Abdoulaye Wade
in the February-March 2000 presidential election
, the Sopi Coalition, including Wade's Senegalese Democratic Party
and its allies, won a large majority.
After Wade was elected President, he entered a situation of cohabitation with the Socialist Party, which still held an overwhelming majority of seats in the National Assembly. Wade was constitutionally barred from dissolving the National Assembly and calling a new parliamentary election, but he decided to revise the constitution and said that he would not pursue policy initiatives in the meantime. Since he was not seeking new legislation, he did not need to compromise with the National Assembly, which simply approved the budget and adjourned. The Socialist Party did not object to Wade's constitutional changes, which included giving the President the right to dissolve the National Assembly, and the new constitution easily passed a referendum in January 2001. Wade then dissolved the National Assembly and called a new parliamentary election. The Socialist-controlled upper house of Parliament, the Senate
, was abolished by the referendum.
Although Wade was barred by the January 2001 Constitution from addressing rallies during the election campaign and the Sopi Coalition was not allowed to use his picture on its ballot papers, Wade actively and prominently participated in the Sopi campaign, drawing criticism from opponents. Wade urged the people to vote for the Sopi Coalition so that he could govern effectively with a secure majority.
National Assembly of Senegal
The National Assembly of Senegal is the lower house of Senegal's parliament.-The current National Assembly:The current National Assembly, formed following elections held on 29 April 2001, has a total of 150 elected members who serve five-year terms. The electoral system is a mixed member...
was held on 29 April 2001. The election was held under the new constitution approved by referendum earlier in the year. Following the victory of Abdoulaye Wade
Abdoulaye Wade
Abdoulaye Wade is the third and current President of Senegal, in office since 2000. He is also the Secretary-General of the Senegalese Democratic Party and has led the party since it was founded in 1974...
in the February-March 2000 presidential election
Senegalese presidential election, 2000
Presidential elections were held in Senegal on 27 February 2000, with a second round taking place on 19 March after no candidate won over 50% of votes in the first round...
, the Sopi Coalition, including Wade's Senegalese Democratic Party
Senegalese Democratic Party
The Senegalese Democratic Party is a political party in Senegal. The party considers itself a liberal party and is a member of the Liberal International. Abdoulaye Wade, Senegal's president, is the party's leader...
and its allies, won a large majority.
After Wade was elected President, he entered a situation of cohabitation with the Socialist Party, which still held an overwhelming majority of seats in the National Assembly. Wade was constitutionally barred from dissolving the National Assembly and calling a new parliamentary election, but he decided to revise the constitution and said that he would not pursue policy initiatives in the meantime. Since he was not seeking new legislation, he did not need to compromise with the National Assembly, which simply approved the budget and adjourned. The Socialist Party did not object to Wade's constitutional changes, which included giving the President the right to dissolve the National Assembly, and the new constitution easily passed a referendum in January 2001. Wade then dissolved the National Assembly and called a new parliamentary election. The Socialist-controlled upper house of Parliament, the Senate
Senate of Senegal
The Senate of Senegal has been the upper house of the Parliament of Senegal from 1999 until 2001 and again since 2007.-History and elections:...
, was abolished by the referendum.
Although Wade was barred by the January 2001 Constitution from addressing rallies during the election campaign and the Sopi Coalition was not allowed to use his picture on its ballot papers, Wade actively and prominently participated in the Sopi campaign, drawing criticism from opponents. Wade urged the people to vote for the Sopi Coalition so that he could govern effectively with a secure majority.