Coalition poll victory will boost Senegal's president

Significance

The ruling coalition won a projected 42 out of 45 electoral departments, including the capital, Dakar, a stronghold of imprisoned mayor Khalifa Sall (no relation). The coalition has also likely won 125 out of 165 National Assembly seats, with the president's party securing 97.

Impacts

• The fractured opposition is likely to unite for the 2019 presidential poll.
• Spending on elections will increase in future, jeopardising Senegal’s fiscal position.
• Political polarisation and election-related violence could also increase in the coming two years.
• The president's re-election would be welcomed by many energy-sector investors.