Morocco's PJD Party Seeks Redemption in Legislative Elections
As Morocco prepares for its legislative elections on September 23, 2026, the Justice and Development Party (PJD), which suffered a significant defeat in 2021, aims to reclaim its influence by mobilizing voters through a carefully crafted strategy. Nearly 16 million Moroccans are expected to cast their votes to elect 395 representatives to the House of Representatives, a crucial step towards establishing a new government for the next five years. This election holds special significance for the PJD, as it marks their attempt to bounce back from a disappointing performance five years ago when they only secured 12 seats, a significant drop from 125 seats in previous elections.
The PJD's decline in popularity was largely attributed to the party's controversial decisions, including the normalization of relations with Israel and the legalization of cannabis, which contradicted the party's Islamic ideological foundations. In response to their past mistakes, the PJD has brought back Abdelilah Benkirane, a prominent figure who served as the head of government from 2011 to 2017, to lead the party's comeback efforts.
Strategies to Engage Voters and Address Core Issues
To regain public trust, the PJD has introduced a comprehensive plan consisting of 467 measures focusing on key areas such as identity, family, political reform, public service, economic development, and foreign policy. Among the proposed initiatives are increased transparency in public contracts, regulations against illicit enrichment, enhanced job creation efforts, and better social protection. These issues, as highlighted by Saad al-Sabahi, a PJD member, are critical to the daily lives of Moroccans and aim to resonate with the electorate's concerns. Furthermore, the ongoing migration crisis in Ceuta has shed light on the dire conditions many citizens face, especially the youth, who often lack future prospects.
Despite these initiatives, the PJD faces the daunting challenge of convincing young voters, in particular, that the party has genuinely transformed. A significant number of young Moroccans are contemplating abstaining from voting, perceiving political promises as mere rhetoric devoid of real substance. The PJD must also navigate competition from 26 other political parties, especially after the previous elections were won by a coalition led by Aziz Akhannouch, which included the National Rally of Independents (RNI), the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), and the Istiqlal Party.
As reported by cnews.fr.
