Morocco’s parliamentary elections have altered the balance among the country’s main political parties, according to provisional results that placed the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) first and marked a substantial recovery for the Justice and Development Party (PJD).
PAM won 97 seats in the 395-member House of Representatives, compared with 87 in 2021. The National Rally of Independents (RNI), which led the previous election and went on to head the government, secured 66 seats, down from 102. Istiqlal won 65 seats, compared with 81 in 2021.
The PJD recorded the largest increase among the major parties, rising to 54 seats from 13 in 2021. It had won 125 seats in 2016. The result puts the party back among the four largest groups in the new parliament.
Coalition options remain open
PAM’s first-place finish gives it the starting position in the government-formation process, but the party does not have enough seats to govern alone. A majority in the House requires at least 198 seats.
PAM, RNI and Istiqlal together hold 228 seats in the provisional figures, meaning the three parties could renew their coalition without bringing in another party. They formed the outgoing government and governed together for five years, although the parties exchanged accusations during the campaign.
Whether they can overcome those tensions remains uncertain. Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri said the final decision on post-election alliances would rest with PAM’s National Council. She also said she would not personally want to join another government led by RNI if that party finished first. Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid likewise ruled out renewing the coalition with RNI under that circumstance.
Under Article 47 of Morocco’s Constitution, the king appoints the head of government from the party that comes first in elections for the House of Representatives. The composition of the next governing coalition, however, had not been determined.
Turnout declines
Participation stood at 38.08 percent of registered voters, below the 50.86 percent recorded in 2021 and the 42.27 percent reported in 2016. It was the second-lowest turnout recorded in parliamentary elections since King Mohammed VI succeeded Hassan II, ahead of the 37 percent recorded in 2007.
Regional participation varied considerably. Turnout reached 77 percent in Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra and 61 percent in Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab. Election figures alone do not establish why individual voters stayed away, and the reasons for nonparticipation may differ across regions and age groups.
PJD comeback reshapes opposition
The PJD’s return to the group of four largest parties represents a major change from its 2021 result. The party has long been a political opponent of PAM, and PJD leaders have accused PAM of being created in large part to counter its rise.
Abdelilah Benkirane argued that the arrival of Fouzi Lekjaa in PAM was intended to counter the PJD. That remains a political interpretation rather than an established fact. Lekjaa had been a nonpartisan minister delegate responsible for the budget in the outgoing government and became head of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation in 2014.
Abdellah Bouanou described his relationship with Lekjaa as good, professional and human despite their political differences.
The PJD’s future role remains unresolved. It was not clear whether the party would remain in opposition or participate in a future governing arrangement as coalition negotiations determine Morocco’s next government.
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