A likely absolute majority for President Bassirou Diomaye Faye's Pastef party in Senegal's legislative election would empower him to pursue his ambitious 25-year agenda, though his first challenge will be coming up with a budget amid a fiscal crisis.

Senegal began counting votes Sunday after parliamentary elections in which the new government is aiming for a resounding majority to deliver the ambitious reform agenda that swept it to power eight months ago.

Senegal headed to the polls on Sunday to vote in legislative elections that the president hopes will give his party a clear majority and the means to implement an ambitious agenda for reforms. The heated campaign period has revived concerns about unrest as political rivals clashed,