PAM wins Morocco vote but must build coalition for World Cup government
Morocco's Authenticity and Modernity Party, known as PAM, has won the most seats in the country's parliamentary election, taking 97 of 395 seats in the House of Representatives, according to final results announced by the Interior Ministry on Friday.
The party, founded by a royal adviser close to King Mohammed VI, fell short of an absolute majority and will need to negotiate with other parties to form a governing coalition. The next government will take office as Morocco prepares to co-host the 2030 World Cup and faces pressure to address jobs, wages and the cost of living.
The election was shaped by growing frustration among young people, high unemployment despite a thriving economy, and demands for better schools, hospitals and housing. It was the first vote since the deadly mass migration attempts to Ceuta in July and the Gen Z-led protests last year.
The next government will oversee billions of dollars in investment linked to Morocco's preparations for the 2030 World Cup, leading some to describe it as the "World Cup government". At the same time, the new political leadership will be under pressure to deal with everyday concerns.
Despite a major drug- and gold-trafficking scandal allegedly involving some senior PAM members, several of whom were sentenced to prison, the party weathered the political fallout and won more seats than in the previous election.
The National Rally of Independents, or RNI, which was part of the outgoing governing coalition, suffered major losses and won 66 seats. The moderate Islamist Justice and Development Party, or PJD, which had won just 13 seats in 2021, surged to 54 seats.
PAM has previously said it will not form a coalition with RNI. It is likely to seek a majority with third-place finisher Istiqlal and other smaller parties. A coalition with the PJD is also seen as unlikely because of longstanding political rivalry between the two parties. The PJD has said it will remain in the opposition.
PAM was founded in 2008 by Fouad Ali El Himma, a childhood friend of the king. It emerged as a major political force and was seen as a counterweight to the Justice and Development Party, which had earlier led the government for a decade.
Under Morocco's Constitution, the king must appoint a prime minister from the party that wins the most seats in legislative elections. One possible choice is Fouzi Lakjaa, president of Morocco's football federation, who recently joined PAM and has gained attention amid Morocco's recent football achievements. Lakjaa, 56, also oversees Morocco's budget and is a member of the party's political bureau, though he is not its top official.
Another possible choice is Fatima-Zahra Mansouri, 50, the mayor of Marrakech and minister of urban planning. If chosen, she would become Morocco's first female prime minister. The party does not have a single leader and is instead run by a collective leadership, with Mansouri serving as its coordinator.
Six million out of 15.8 million registered voters cast their ballots on Wednesday in the sixth election since King Mohammed VI came to power 27 years ago. Overall turnout was 38 per cent, the lowest since 2007. The result has left PAM as the largest party, but with coalition talks now central to the formation of Morocco's next government.
