Authenticity and Modernity Party wins Morocco vote, Islamists return to opposition

Morocco's Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) won Wednesday's parliamentary election with 97 of 395 seats, while the Islamist Justice and Development Party (PJD) surged to 54 seats, returning to lead the opposition after five years. Turnout fell to 38% from 50%. PAM must now assemble a governing coalition, having ruled out governing again with the RNI. PAM coordinator Fatima-Zahra Mansouri could become Morocco's first woman head of government.

Morocco's Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) won Wednesday's parliamentary election with 97 of 395 seats, provisional results showed early Thursday. The Islamist Justice and Development Party (PJD) surged to 54 seats, up from 13 in 2021, returning to lead the opposition under former Prime Minister Abdelilah Benkirane. Turnout fell to 38% from 50%. King Mohammed VI controls foreign and defense policy; the government handles domestic issues. PAM must now assemble a governing coalition. Its two outgoing coalition partners both lost ground: the National Rally of Independents (RNI) fell from 102 to 66 seats, and Istiqlal fell from 81 to 65. PAM has said it will not govern again with the RNI, leaving it to seek a coalition with Istiqlal and smaller parties. Dr. Yasmine Hasnaoui, Expert Fellow at the Council for Mediterranean Diplomacy, noted that polling stations were fairly empty and that some voters planned to cast blank ballots to protest declining purchasing power. She said the PJD ran a disciplined campaign and that its 54 seats surprised observers. PAM national coordinator Fatima-Zahra Mansouri, the mayor of Marrakesh, could become Morocco's first woman head of government. Budget Minister Fouzi Lekjaa is another candidate. The king will decide.