Morocco's Brotherhood Moves Away from Historical Figures
In a significant organizational shift and a fresh interpretation of power dynamics, Morocco's Justice and Development Party (PJD), the political arm of the Muslim Brotherhood in the country, has finalized its list of candidates for the upcoming legislative elections scheduled for September 23, 2026. This decision includes a shocking development: the exclusion of its Secretary-General and former Prime Minister, Abdelilah Benkirane, from the electoral race.
This organizational decision, announced by the party's General Secretariat, has put to rest the speculation surrounding Benkirane's candidacy in the "Sale City" district, his traditional stronghold. Instead, Kamel Alkoushi has been endorsed to represent the district, while Aziz Al-Hanawi has been designated for the "New Sale" area. This marks a decisive closure on the reliance on the "historical leader" in direct electoral confrontations.
Sources privy to the internal deliberations of the party informed the news outlet Blabris that Benkirane's absence was not a mere coincidence. It emerged as a result of complex discussions reflecting a significant faction within the party's desire to move away from the "heavyweight names" that have been associated with previous phases of the party's history. The major shock came during the "Local Selection Committee" discussions, where Benkirane's name was put forward but ended up ranking third in the internal hierarchy. Observers interpret this as a clear indication of shifting loyalties within the organization and a decline in the concept of "consensual leadership" that had previously guaranteed his nominations automatically over the past decades.
Strategic Decisions Amidst Political Shifts
The decision to distance Benkirane from the electoral battle was driven by political assessments fearing that his candidacy could turn into a direct referendum on both his and the party's popularity. Current leadership expressed concerns regarding the "risks of electoral failure," believing that any loss for Benkirane would be perceived as an official announcement of the end of his political leadership rather than just a normal defeat for the party.
This shift towards sidelining historical figures and modernizing the electoral front has sparked intense divisions within the PJD. Some party voices advocate for leveraging Benkirane's symbolic and media weight to re-engage the electoral base following the party's severe setback in the 2021 elections, where the number of seats plummeted from 125 to just 13. An alternative proposal suggested a tactical maneuver where Benkirane would be nominated to gather votes and then resign in favor of another candidate. However, the General Secretariat ultimately opted to protect whatever remains of the Secretary-General’s image and to seek new faces that would ensure a gradual restoration of political presence, distancing from the perils of traditional leadership adventures.
As reported by hafryat.com.
