As reported by laayounenow.com.
Shifting Political Dynamics Ahead of Elections
The political landscape in Morocco is undergoing a significant transformation as the date for the legislative elections approaches. Notably, Saturday, July 25, 2026, marked what many are interpreting as an unofficial kickoff to the election campaign, as members of the ruling coalition mobilized across various cities, including Salé, Dakhla, and Laayoune. This sudden surge in political activity signals a shift from merely managing government responsibilities to competing for leadership of the next government, indicating that the stakes are higher than ever.
In Salé, Fatima Zahra Mansouri, a prominent figure, captured attention by announcing the addition of Fawzi Lekjaa, the Minister Delegate in Charge of Budget and President of the Moroccan Football Federation, to the political bureau of the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM). This move, alongside the participation of the President of the Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab region, Khalifa Yenga, is one of the most significant political recruitment efforts since the 2021 elections. It sends a clear message that PAM is approaching the 2026 elections with high aspirations, aiming to dominate the electoral scene.
The reaction from the National Rally of Independents (RNI), led by Aziz Akhannouch, was swift and strategic. Akhannouch, while hundreds of kilometers away in Dakhla, led a party meeting that conveyed multiple political and organizational messages. He characterized the political maneuvering occurring in the lead-up to the elections as an "electoral transfer market," underscoring that political parties are built through grassroots work and continuous development rather than mere last-minute name acquisitions.
Mohammed Aujjar, another senior RNI figure, echoed these sentiments, asserting that "democracy is not a football field," in a pointed reference to Lekjaa, emphasizing that governance cannot operate like a sports competition. His remarks were not directed at the opposition but were aimed at a partner within the ruling coalition, highlighting the internal tensions that are beginning to surface.
The Quiet Observation by the Istiqlal Party
In this politically charged atmosphere, the Istiqlal Party, under the leadership of Nizar Baraka, has taken a markedly different approach. The party has chosen not to engage in the flurry of statements or to announce its candidates for the upcoming elections, nor has it responded to the recent recruitment efforts by PAM. This silence may not signify a lack of presence in the political arena; instead, it reflects a deliberate strategy of gradual revelation of their plans.
Istiqlal, one of the most established political parties in Morocco, possesses extensive experience in navigating electoral campaigns. The party seems to understand that early battles may deplete resources before reaching election day. By observing the shifting balance of power between its coalition partners, Istiqlal appears to be allowing RNI and PAM to exhaust each other politically and in the media before making its own strategic move at a more opportune time. This approach suggests that, in politics, as in chess, victory does not always belong to the first mover but to the one who knows when to act.
The events of this Saturday have made it clear that the countdown to the legislative elections has officially begun. PAM has capitalized on major recruitment initiatives, successfully making headlines with the announcement of influential figures joining its ranks. In contrast, RNI has quickly responded by defending its governmental record and dismissing the notion of an "electoral transfer market," reinforcing the argument that the focus should be on policies rather than personalities.
Meanwhile, the Istiqlal Party continues to observe from a position of calm confidence, eschewing noise and urgency, seemingly betting that politics is not a sprint but a marathon. As this political drama unfolds, the ruling coalition appears to be facing its first electoral test while still functioning as a unified government, albeit with three distinct political campaigns underway, each party with its strategies, calculations, and aspirations for leading the narrative post-elections on September 23, 2026.
