Understanding the Political Landscape of Marrakech-Médina–Sidi Youssef Ben Ali
The Marrakech-Médina–Sidi Youssef Ben Ali electoral district serves as a crucial barometer for the political transformations that have unfolded over the past decade. This area, which encompasses the historic medina, the Sidi Youssef Ben Ali district, and the urban expansion of the Tassoultante commune, reflects a rich tapestry of social and territorial realities, making it a battleground for various political factions. With legislative elections set for September 23, all eyes are on this district, where the balance of power has dramatically shifted between the 2016 and 2021 elections. Within just five years, the once-dominant Justice and Development Party (PJD) has seen its influence wane, yielding to a fragmented representation among multiple political entities.
The Shift of 2021: A New Political Era
The September 8, 2021, legislative elections marked a pivotal moment, with the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) emerging at the forefront, securing 16,136 votes. The party's candidate, Fatima-Zahra El Mansouri, won a seat and subsequently took on a leadership role within the party's collegiate structure. Following PAM, the Independence Party claimed second place with 11,361 votes, capturing a seat through Abdelaziz Derouich. The National Rally of Independents (RNI), which led the governmental majority at the time, came in third with 8,753 votes, obtaining the final seat through Younes Benslimane. This election resulted in a balanced distribution of seats among the major components of the governing majority: PAM, Istiqlal, and RNI, a stark contrast to the previous election cycle when the PJD faced exclusion from parliamentary representation in this district for the first time.
Historically, the PJD had dominated the political scene during the October 7, 2016, elections, capturing a significant 25,871 votes and winning two out of three available seats, represented by Younes Benslimane and Bachir Touba. PAM, led by Fatima-Zahra El Mansouri, garnered enough support to secure the remaining seat. At that time, the PJD's strength in Marrakech was reflected in its five out of nine seats across the prefecture. However, the political landscape shifted dramatically in 2021, with the PJD's vote tally plummeting to a mere 1,723, resulting in its complete absence from the parliamentary arena in this district.
As we approach the 2026 elections, early announcements of candidate nominations provide insight into the forthcoming competition. PAM has decided to retain Fatima-Zahra El Mansouri, a figure synonymous with the party's presence in Marrakech, where it triumphed in the 2021 elections, securing a seat in each of the city's three districts. The RNI has chosen Saïd El Kourch, who aims to strengthen the party's foothold in a territory distinct from his previous electoral experiences, having won a seat in 2021. Meanwhile, Istiqlal has opted for continuity by re-nominating Abdelaziz Derouich, the incumbent representative in this strategic electoral sector.
The Socialist Union of Popular Forces (USFP) has selected Lahcen Zelmat, a notable figure in Marrakech's hotel and tourism sector, while the Popular Movement has nominated Abdelsadek Bittari, an educator and president of the Moroccan Royal Gymnastics Federation. The PJD is striving to regain its parliamentary representation by presenting Salah Eddine Ayach, a political science academic and researcher. The Constitutional Union has named Kamal Majed as its lead candidate, and the Party of Progress and Socialism (PPS) has endorsed Ibrahim Hmi, a local human rights activist and political figure.
At this juncture, the officially announced candidates include Fatima-Zahra El Mansouri for PAM, Saïd El Kourch for RNI, Abdelaziz Derouich for Istiqlal, Brahim Hami for PPS, Lahcen Zelmat for USFP, Abdelsadek Bittari for the Popular Movement, Salah Eddine Ayach for PJD, and Kamal Majid for the Constitutional Union. The results of the last two elections illustrate the electoral volatility within this district. In 2016, the PJD held two out of three seats, while five years later, the mandates were evenly divided among three different parties. This series of contrasting configurations contributes to the uncertainty surrounding the upcoming 2026 elections. Although the current candidate lineup outlines a competitive landscape for only three seats, it remains too early to predict the outcome. As in previous elections, the voters' decisions will ultimately determine the effectiveness of each party's strategies and the prevailing local dynamics in this emblematic district of Marrakech.
As reported by fr.hespress.com.
