The parliamentary group PASTEF – The Patriots announced that after two days of work in the Finance and Budget Control Commission, it had decided not to adopt the draft rectifying budget law (PLFR) 2026 as it stands. It specified that its position did not challenge the necessity of revising the budget in light of new economic constraints, but stemmed from disagreements over budgetary arbitrations, financing modalities, and guarantees provided to Parliament. The group also regretted that the concerns of the parliamentary majority and the requests of the Commission had not received, in its opinion, the expected institutional attention. The group expressed its willingness to engage with the executive, provided that cuts in health, education, vocational training, water supply, infrastructure, industry, and other structuring projects of the National Transformation Agenda are reexamined, and that adjustments focus primarily on non-essential expenditures. It also requested that any reduction in energy subsidies be accompanied by a reduction in the taxation of petroleum products and the costs of electricity supply and production, without increasing prices for households and businesses. Regarding the 120 billion FCFA of the Autonomous Contingent Emergency Response Project (CERP), it demanded the transmission of the agreements concluded with the World Bank, as well as clarifications on the source, allocation, and budget allocation of the resources and their effects on investment projects for which credits are postponed. PASTEF – The Patriots also called for expediting the program to rationalize the parapublic sector, which, according to the group, includes the elimination of 19 entities and at least 55 billion FCFA in net budget savings over three years. It requested a reduction in non-priority operational expenditures and strengthened control of special funds. Finally, the group requested justifications regarding the sincerity of the projected deficits for 2026 and 2027, in light of the ongoing adjustments, rebasing, and actual execution of expenditures, particularly public investments financed by external resources. It demanded the communication of audit reports from the General Inspectorate of Finances (IGF) on non-financial debt and Forvis Mazars, as well as clarifications on the financial commitments of the State and the sustainability of the debt. The group estimated that decisions with lasting effects on public finances should be accompanied by complete information and submitted to the oversight of the national representation. It stated its openness to dialogue with the Government before the plenary session, in order to reach an agreement, and affirmed its desire to defend a transparent, sincere, and sustainable budget, without sacrificing the purchasing power of Senegalese citizens or the necessary investments for the country's development. #pastef #senegal #PLFR2026 #budget #transparence (translated)
