The Socialist Union Party finds itself navigating one of the most critical junctures in its political and organizational journey as it embarks on the electoral campaign for the legislative elections set for September 23. This phase is not only marked by its electoral ambitions but also by a reflective assessment of the party's performance in preparing for these elections. Prior to this moment, the party experienced a series of resignations, departures, and political transitions involving several key leaders and members, with many figures from a leftist background opting to join rival political parties. This trend highlights a significant decline in the party's ability to maintain its position as a leading force within the Moroccan left and to attract influential names from its political and historical milieu.
Despite the party leadership presenting its list of candidates as a representation of renewal and openness to competencies, a closer examination of the names put forward reveals a more complex picture. The Socialist Union, which has long been a prominent political entity within Moroccan leftist politics, appears increasingly unable to retain some of its veteran members who have accrued substantial organizational and activist experience within the party. As a result, various leftist figures are increasingly searching for political spaces elsewhere, whether within the new left alliance or in competing parties. A prominent example of this shift is Abdelhadi Khairat, a historical leader and significant figure associated with the party's legacy and youth activities. In February, he chose to join the Progress and Socialism Party after a prolonged estrangement from the Socialist Union, marking a point of no return in his relationship with the party's first secretary, Idriss Lachgar.
Khairat stated in an interview that his move to the "book" party followed extensive political discussions, reflecting a deep-seated rift that had characterized his connection with the Socialist Union in recent years. The indications of this political hemorrhage are not limited to historical symbols; recent weeks have seen a wave of resignations tied to various issues surrounding the management of electoral nominations and lists. The political bureau of the Socialist Union accepted the resignation of Rjaâa Al-Baqali Al-Tahiri and witnessed the departure of Maryam Jamal Al-Idrisi from the party amidst controversies regarding the results of the regional list nomination process. While the party asserts that the nomination process adhered to its constitutional and internal legal frameworks, the individuals involved offered contrasting interpretations regarding the implementation of these rules and criteria.
The situation further deteriorated with the resignation of Salwa Al-Damnati, a former member of the political bureau and current parliamentarian, who announced her departure from the party and its organizational structures after criticizing its management methodologies and political choices. In a similar vein, the departure of Ammar Hamza, the former regional secretary of the Socialist Union in Wazan, to the Authenticity and Modernity Party, accompanied by several party members, was officially announced at the end of August. This departure is significant given Hamza's organizational role within the party and the timing, as parties prepare to restructure their local bases in anticipation of the elections.
Is the Moroccan Left Moving Beyond the Socialist Union?
The challenge facing the Socialist Union extends beyond the mere loss of a few names; it delves into a deeper question regarding the party's position within the broader landscape of the Moroccan left itself. The notable paradox in the upcoming 2026 elections is that discussions about the future of the left no longer center on the Socialist Union's capacity to lead this movement but rather on the potential emergence of new centers of attraction that could compete for leftist talents and figures. In this context, the establishment of the "Left Alliance" between the Unified Socialist Party and the Democratic Left Federation on June 3 represents a new political framework explicitly stating its desire to unify some of the leftist diaspora and contest the legislative elections with a joint political project. Both parties have emphasized that this is not merely a temporary electoral coordination but a political alliance aiming to build a democratic and progressive alternative, seeking to overcome the fragmentation that has characterized the left in recent years.
Conversely, the Socialist Union has struggled to bring its announced "project" of alliance with the Progress and Socialism Party to fruition, as this initiative stalled despite the historical common ground between the two parties. Together, they secured a total of 56 seats in the 2021 elections—34 for the Socialist Union and 22 for the comrades of Nabil Benabdallah. Now, the Socialist Union's list presents itself in a distinct manner; while it is geographically broad and includes many constituencies, the names that attract significant national attention appear relatively limited. Among these are Abdelkarim Benatiq, a former minister and a well-known face within the party, and Hassan Lachkar, the party's candidate in the Rabat Shalla constituency, notably because he is the son of the first secretary.
The debate surrounding the nature of this list intensifies considering that the Socialist Union has increasingly relied on attracting politically seasoned individuals from outside the party in numerous regions. For example, in the Marrakech-Safi region, several names presented had previously belonged to other parties before joining the Socialist Union, reflecting a strategy of recruiting "political nomads." Among these emerging figures are Ahmed Al-Toumi, Hamid Al-Akaroud, Abdel Samad Akdash, and Abdel Ghani Kamel. This situation raises a striking political question: has the Socialist Union, historically a breeding ground for activists and leaders, become increasingly reliant on attracting ready-made names from outside its organizational structure even as some of its own members and leaders depart for other parties?
While Idriss Lachgar asserts that 77% of local list candidates represent new faces and that the party is banking on youth, women, and competencies, this narrative faces scrutiny regarding the meaning of renewal, which no longer seems to stem from within the socialist school but rather compensates for an organizational deficit. Lachgar faces sharp criticism for allegedly sidelining active "socialists" in favor of electable figures in pursuit of parliamentary seats. This focus on seat acquisition diverges from the much-needed emphasis on rebuilding the party, reminiscent of the situation in 2021 with Ahmed Yihia, the former regional secretary of the Socialist Union in Tangier-Asilah, who opposed Lachgar's bypassing of local organizations in the candidate selection process, leading to a legal struggle between the two.
This situation is pivotal for understanding the transformation that has occurred within the Socialist Union. The party no longer possesses the same breadth of leadership and activist resources that constituted its organizational, union, and intellectual extension. Furthermore, many figures historically linked to the socialist line have either exited the party or distanced themselves from decision-making centers within it. Additionally, affiliation with the Socialist Union no longer appears to be an obvious choice for many new leftist figures, as other frameworks have emerged, presenting themselves as spaces for reconstructing the left on more unified foundations.
As reported by assahifa.com.
