After Wade was elected president, he entered a situation of cohabitation with the Socialist Party, which still held an overwhelming majority of seats in the National Assembly.

Since he was not seeking new legislation, he did not need to compromise with the National Assembly, which simply approved the budget and adjourned.

Wade then dissolved the National Assembly and called a new parliamentary election.

[1] Although Wade was barred by the January 2001 Constitution from addressing rallies during the election campaign[2] and the Sopi Coalition was not allowed to use his picture on its ballot papers,[3] Wade actively and prominently participated in the Sopi campaign, drawing criticism from opponents.

[3][4] Wade urged the people to vote for the Sopi Coalition so that he could govern effectively with a secure majority.