PASTEF opens internal leadership election as Sonko and Faye face off
On May 15, 2026, the High Authority for Party Regulation (HARP) of PASTEF-Les Patriotes initiated an official leadership election process, setting a tight five-day window for candidates to submit their applications. The window opened at midnight and closes on May 20, 2026, as outlined in decision no. 001/2026/HARP.
Breaking free from personalized leadership claims
The election procedure does not favor the incumbent president Ousmane Sonko, who currently serves as the country’s Prime Minister. Instead, it invites all party factions to compete, giving Bassirou Diomaye Faye—President of the Republic—the opportunity to seek re-election but without automatic endorsement. This move directly addresses Faye’s earlier criticism that PASTEF leadership had become overly “personalized.”
Internal vote shapes future presidential bid
Speaking earlier this year, Diomaye Faye stated that PASTEF’s 2029 presidential candidate would only be determined following the next party congress, signaling that internal debates remain unresolved. The leadership election serves as a critical preliminary step before that decision is made.
The HARP’s deliberation, adopted during a special session on May 14, 2026, requires candidates to submit a standardized application form within the five-day period. The outcome of this internal vote will define the party’s official face ahead of the upcoming congress, where the 2029 presidential candidacy will likely be finalized.
