Political Tensions and the Search for Leadership
The political landscape in Morocco has recently become a hotbed of debate, particularly among three prominent political parties, igniting varied and intense reactions. Observers, analysts, and journalists have raised pertinent questions regarding the qualifications that the next Prime Minister should possess, as well as the potential candidates who could emerge following the announcement of the legislative election results. Furthermore, the challenges these individuals will face in forming a competent and cohesive government team remain a critical point of discussion.
As the political parties navigate the current electoral season, there has been a notable increase in the pace of activities leading up to the election’s final moments. This surge in activity is particularly evident with the recent alignment of Fouzi Lekjaa, the Minister of Finance and President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, with the Party of Authenticity and Modernity (PAM). His affiliation has sparked backlash and criticism from Aziz Akhannouch, leader of the National Rally of Independents, during a recent political rally, alongside sharp rebukes from Abdelilah Benkirane, the Secretary-General of the Justice and Development Party (PJD).
PAM's Strategic Moves and Electoral Aspirations
The Party of Authenticity and Modernity, established on August 7, 2008, by Fouad Ali El Himma, a close associate of King Mohammed VI, aimed to enhance political life in Morocco and serve as a counterbalance to the rise of Islamists represented by the PJD. However, the party's direction appears to have shifted since Abdelatif Wahbi assumed the Secretary-General role. Last Saturday, the 32nd session of PAM's national council convened in Sale, Morocco, revealing new members, including Fouzi Lekjaa and Yanja Khattab, joining the party. During this meeting, the party's electoral program was also presented and discussed in preparation for the upcoming legislative elections scheduled for September 23.
PAM's strategy seems to have accomplished two significant objectives in the nick of time during Saturday's meeting: attracting Fouzi Lekjaa from Berkan to undermine the influence of the Souss region and effectively positioning themselves for electoral success, particularly given Lekjaa's presidency at the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, which has driven unprecedented advancements in Moroccan football infrastructure and governance. His leadership has also translated into historic achievements for the national team on both continental and global stages.
Additionally, the recent resignation of Yanja Khattab from the Independence Party to join PAM signifies a substantial blow to the party led by Allal El Fassi. Khattab, hailing from the Saharan region, is expected to have a significant impact on the political landscape and alter the dynamics of the Independence Party, which has historically dominated electoral results for decades. Observers suggest that PAM is strategically positioning itself to secure its political foothold among other parties, especially in light of the forthcoming self-governance initiative following the elections, which necessitates a comprehensive representation of all national parties in the region.
Fatima Zahra Mansouri, the national coordinator of PAM's collective leadership, emphasized the importance of the organizational stage in preparation for the upcoming elections. She stated that the party's program is based on the insights gained from grassroots meetings and listening to citizens' expectations across various regions of Morocco. The goal is to present practical and realistic proposals that address current developmental challenges.
Highlighting the party's commitment to internal governance and political responsibility, Mansouri noted that the selection of candidates was based on a collaborative approach involving discussion and consensus among different party factions. Presenting the candidate list to the national council reflects PAM’s dedication to political integrity and responsibility.
In response to PAM's recent activities, Aziz Akhannouch took the opportunity during a communication meeting in the Saharan city of Dakhla to address his governmental coalition partners, who often claim to be united in their political communications. Akhannouch remarked that some political parties prefer to wait until the last moments before the elections to attract names to strengthen their lists, whereas the National Rally of Independents opted for early candidate presentation as a commitment to transparency and clarity with the public.
It is important to note that, according to Abdel Rahim Al-Aalam, a political science professor at Cadi Ayyad University in Marrakech, Fouzi Lekjaa cannot be the next Prime Minister, as he does not lead PAM. Al-Aalam pointed out that a constitutional precedent exists, established by previous governments led by figures such as Abdel Rahman Youssoufi, Abbas El Fassi, Abdelilah Benkirane, Saad Eddine El Othmani, and Aziz Akhannouch, indicating that the royal appointment is traditionally given to the Secretary-General of the party that secures the most parliamentary seats in the legislative elections.
As reported by azzaman.com.
