The text has been on lawmakers’ desks since September 18, and it may well be the most uncomfortable vote of this legislative term. As they scrutinize the 2026 revised finance law, the Pastef majority faces a stark choice: approve a budget tied to the IMF agreement, or risk accusations of paralyzing the state. It’s a dilemma where every answer carries a political price.

Substantively, the revised budget reshapes the year’s accounts in dramatic fashion. The deficit is now projected at 1,735.2 billion FCFA, or 7.6% of GDP, up from an initial 5.4%. The government attributes this deterioration mainly to soaring energy subsidies, new priority expenditures, and lower-than-expected revenues.

The energy sector bears the brunt of the shock. The envelope to support the sector jumps from 250 billion to 790.3 billion FCFA, an increase of 540.3 billion. Meanwhile, expected revenues have fallen to 5,848.7 billion FCFA, 340.1 billion less than the 6,188.8 billion initially planned. The executive blames the global energy crisis and a rainfall deficit.

To contain the drift, the bill sacrifices investment. The government plans to cut 555 billion FCFA from investments, split between domestic and external resources. On the other hand, some social safety nets are strengthened: family security scholarship funding rises from 35 billion to 70 billion FCFA. Authorities also aim to bring energy subsidies below 1% of GDP by 2029 while better targeting vulnerable households. This last goal is fueling fears over electricity and fuel prices.

Voting yes: endorsing the deal you once criticized

This law is not a mere accounting adjustment. It comes after the agreement reached between Senegal and the IMF, which still awaits approval from the Fund’s Board. The tentative deal covers $2.2 billion over 36 months. And the IMF mission chief for Senegal, Mercedes Vera Martin, was…