Senegal's Constitutional Court struck down a parliamentary bill on Thursday, July 10, 2026, that sought to limit the powers of the president [1].
The ruling preserves the current balance of power in Dakar, preventing a shift of authority from the executive branch to the legislature. By overturning the reform, the court ensures that the presidency maintains its established legal dominance over government operations.
The court said the amendment was unconstitutional because it would alter the balance of power by reducing presidential authority [2]. The legislative body had sought to strengthen the legislature through this reform, but the court said the measures exceeded constitutional limits [2].
There are conflicting reports regarding when the legislature first approved the measure. Some reports indicate that parliament passed the bill last week [3] — approximately three to five days before the court's decision. However, other reports state the amendment was adopted by parliament last month, in June 2026 [4].
The decision comes after a period of legislative effort to redefine the relationship between the president and the parliament. The Constitutional Court, also referred to as the Constitutional Council, serves as the final arbiter on the legality of such structural changes to the state [3, 5].
Because the court found the bill unconstitutional, the proposed limits on presidential power are void. The presidency remains intact with its original authorities, and the parliament must return to the existing legal framework for governance.
“The court said the amendment unconstitutional because it would alter the balance of power by reducing presidential authority.”
This ruling reinforces the strength of the executive branch in Senegal and signals a judicial reluctance to allow the legislature to diminish presidential authority. By blocking the reform, the court has maintained the status quo of the country's power structure, potentially stalling future efforts to implement a more parliamentary-focused system of governance.
