**Morocco's Parliamentary Election Marks Shift in Political Landscape**
In a significant political shift, Morocco's Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) has emerged as the dominant force in the recent parliamentary elections, surpassing its coalition partners in the outgoing government. Preliminary results released by Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit indicate that PAM secured 97 of the 395 seats in the lower house, a notable increase from the 87 seats it held in the previous election of 2021.
The National Rally of Independents (RNI), which previously led the parliament with 102 seats, experienced a considerable decline, capturing only 66 seats this time around. The Istiqlal Party closely followed with 65 seats. This shift in power dynamics comes amid a concerning drop in voter turnout, which plummeted to 38.02%—the lowest level recorded in nearly two decades. In comparison, the turnout for the 2021 elections was 50.35%, reflecting a growing disengagement among the electorate.
The election results necessitate coalition-building for PAM, as it will require partners to form a government. However, PAM leaders have indicated they will not pursue another alliance with RNI, complicating the path to governance. Outgoing Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, who has faced scrutiny over issues such as rising living costs and unemployment, did not seek re-election. He announced his withdrawal from the political arena in January, citing the two-term leadership limit of RNI and the need for the party to select a successor before the elections.
The electoral process was marred by allegations of irregularities, particularly in the northern port city of Tangier. The Left Alliance, which secured eight seats nationally, accused the PAM of ballot stuffing and has called for a re-run of the elections in affected constituencies. The situation escalated when a man was arrested at a polling site in Tangier while allegedly carrying ballots. PAM has denied any wrongdoing, labeling the accusations as a "political conspiracy" and has expressed support for an investigation into the matter.
PAM was founded in 2008 by an adviser to King Mohammed VI and has positioned itself as a secular alternative to the Islamist Justice and Development Party (PJD), which saw a resurgence in this election, increasing its representation from 13 seats in 2021 to 54 seats in the current parliament.
The king of Morocco holds the authority to appoint the prime minister from the party that wins the most seats, while retaining significant control over key areas such as defense, foreign affairs, and overall policy direction. Potential candidates for the prime ministerial role include PAM leader Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri and Budget Minister Fouzi Lekjaa, who also leads Morocco's football federation. If appointed, El Mansouri would make history as the first female prime minister of Morocco.
PAM's campaign focused on ambitious promises, including the creation of one million jobs and increased spending on healthcare and social protection. These pledges come in the wake of widespread youth-led protests last year, driven by frustrations over unemployment, inadequate public services, and perceived excessive spending on preparations for the 2030 World Cup, which Morocco will co-host with Spain and Portugal. Reports from Amnesty International indicated that at least three protesters lost their lives and over 400 were arrested during these demonstrations, with accusations of excessive force and arbitrary arrests by security forces.
As Morocco navigates the aftermath of this election, the implications of the results and the formation of a new government will be closely observed, particularly in light of the pressing social and economic challenges facing the nation.