The president of the National Assembly, Ousmane Sonko, has called on the president of the Republic, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, to promulgate the constitutional revision law approved this Monday by a qualified majority of deputies. According to Sonko, the head of state cannot select which constitutional provisions suit him nor submit this text to a referendum, because in his interpretation, the vote by three-fifths of the National Assembly amounts to both adoption and approval.
Speaking after the vote on the reform, Ousmane Sonko reminded that “the constituent power” lies with the National Assembly when it is convened. He argued that the president of the Republic’s referral to the Constitutional Council was unjustified, adding that the high court has already ruled on the procedure applicable to constitutional revisions adopted by Parliament.
The National Assembly president also criticised Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s position on several provisions of the reform, notably the requirement for the president of the Republic to declare his assets upon entering and leaving office, as well as the ban on leading a political party during his mandate. Sonko recalled that these commitments were defended by the current head of state when he was in the opposition.
Considering this reform as “one of the most consolidating” for Senegalese democracy, Ousmane Sonko argued that it will strengthen transparency in public management while reducing the cost of democratic functioning. He finally called on the president of the Republic to reconsider his position and to promulgate the law, judging that a referendum on these provisions would be unnecessary.
Speaking after the vote on the reform, Ousmane Sonko reminded that “the constituent power” lies with the National Assembly when it is convened. He argued that the president of the Republic’s referral to the Constitutional Council was unjustified, adding that the high court has already ruled on the procedure applicable to constitutional revisions adopted by Parliament.
The National Assembly president also criticised Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s position on several provisions of the reform, notably the requirement for the president of the Republic to declare his assets upon entering and leaving office, as well as the ban on leading a political party during his mandate. Sonko recalled that these commitments were defended by the current head of state when he was in the opposition.
Considering this reform as “one of the most consolidating” for Senegalese democracy, Ousmane Sonko argued that it will strengthen transparency in public management while reducing the cost of democratic functioning. He finally called on the president of the Republic to reconsider his position and to promulgate the law, judging that a referendum on these provisions would be unnecessary.
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