Pouvoir exécutif : Ousmane Sonko théorise la « cohabitation douce » avec le Palais
Facing activists: Ousmane Sonko speaks of a "smooth coexistence" with Bassirou Diomaye Faye
During his exchange with party members as part of the "Face to Face with Party Members" initiative, PASTEF leader and Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko spoke at length about the party's role in the current government. He discussed his relationship with President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, as well as the debates surrounding the role of the Prime Minister's office and its future within the executive branch.
“PASTEF must be at the heart of governance”
Ousmane Sonko began by emphasizing that PASTEF remains the main political force supporting the current government, asserting that no governance is possible without the party. "PASTEF must be at the heart of governance. No one can govern without it. Some try to make people believe it's possible, but it's not," he stated. He noted that several high-ranking government officials still claim affiliation with the party: "The President claims to be a member of PASTEF, as does the Prime Minister, and most of the ministers as well. As long as I am Prime Minister, governance will reflect PASTEF's vision."
When questioned about his future, Ousmane Sonko stated that he was not focused on any particular position, while denouncing maneuvers aimed, in his view, at weakening his role. "Even members of Pastef are maneuvering to get rid of a strong Prime Minister," he lamented. He also declared that he was the head of government with, technically, the least power, despite the perception of an influential Prime Minister's Office: "I am the Prime Minister with the least power. The Prime Minister's Office isn't strong because I've been given superpowers, but because I'm the one in it." He clarified that some entities formerly attached to his department are now under the authority of the Palace, emphasizing that he is not seeking a power struggle: "There are structures that belonged to the Prime Minister's Office and are now in the Palace. I don't claim them, because I'm not power-hungry."
Constitutional balance and "soft cohabitation"
Ousmane Sonko reiterated that the Constitution clearly defines everyone's responsibilities, emphasizing that he intends to fully exercise his own. "The Constitution grants powers to the President, but also to the Prime Minister. And I will fully assume my role," he asserted. For him, reforms must be carried out collaboratively: "The President has his channels and his responsibilities. Everyone must contribute through their actions and with the support of others."
The PASTEF leader also raised the possibility of a potential disconnect between the party and the government, using the term "soft cohabitation." "If the President is not aligned with his party, we could find ourselves in a situation of soft, reasonable cohabitation," he warned. He reiterated that the parliamentary majority remains dominated by PASTEF, which gives the party a pivotal role in the institutional balance: "The National Assembly is PASTEF, the President is PASTEF, the Prime Minister is PASTEF."
Finally, Ousmane Sonko asserted that he is not attached to any particular title and that the party remains ready for all political eventualities. "I have no problem with positions or titles. If we are forced into certain situations, PASTEF is not afraid to become an opposition party again." These statements confirm the existence of profound internal debates on the balance of power, in a context where this new digital platform now serves as a direct channel for the leader to mobilize his base.
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