The Senegalese Democratic Party (PDS) has taken a decisive stance against the constitutional reform bill currently making headlines in Dakar. Party leaders announced their intention to campaign for a ‘no’ vote in the upcoming referendum, despite initially supporting the legislation’s parliamentary passage.

President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has proposed holding a national referendum to let citizens decide on the controversial constitutional amendments. The proposed changes—championed by Ousmane Sonko’s Pastef movement—would expand parliamentary powers while curbing presidential authority.

The PDS’s unexpected shift toward Faye’s position marks a significant turn in Senegal’s political landscape. While the party had previously aligned with Pastef during the 2022 legislative elections and 2024 presidential race, their current alliance with the president appears more strategic than ideological.

From political rivals to reluctant partners

The PDS’s journey from opposition ally to presidential supporter began unexpectedly. In 2022, the party joined forces with Pastef to challenge then-president Macky Sall’s coalition. By early 2024, as Karim Wade—PDS’s original presidential candidate—was excluded from the race, the party pivoted to backing the Sonko-Faye ticket.

This tactical maneuver allowed Bassirou Diomaye Faye to broaden his electoral base, though the alliance proved short-lived. After Faye’s election, the PDS remained outside his government and coalition, maintaining political independence from both Pastef and the ruling coalition.

Hamadou Tidiane Sy, director of Dakar’s E-Jicom journalism school, suggests the PDS’s shifting alliances stem from political survival instincts rather than shared values: ‘After losing power, the PDS faced a dramatic decline. Their current rapprochement with the presidency reflects a calculated attempt to reassert influence in Senegal’s political circles.’

Unlikely coalitions against Sonko’s reforms

The PDS’s latest move comes amid escalating tensions between President Faye and Ousmane Sonko. The party has condemned the constitutional reforms as an attempt by Sonko to consolidate power, urging Senegalese voters to reject them in the referendum.

In an official statement, the PDS declared: ‘We call on all our members, supporters, and the Senegalese people to mobilize against these reforms and vote