Abdelilah Benkirane, secretary-general of the Justice and Development Party (PJD), has firmly closed the door on any participation in a government led by the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), the winner of Morocco’s September 23 parliamentary elections.
Despite the PJD’s strong rebound to 54 seats from just 13 in 2021, Benkirane has made it clear the party will move into opposition, with ambitions to lead it.
Speaking at the opening of a PJD General Secretariat meeting in Rabat on Thursday, September 24, Benkirane stated “as far as I am concerned, there is absolutely no question of participating in a government directed by the PAM.”
Benkirane described the PJD’s results as “very positive and encouraging,” while acknowledging some irregularities during the vote.
The stance comes as PAM, which secured 97 seats, prepares for coalition negotiations under the 2011 constitution, under which the King appoints the head of government from the largest party.
No single formation holds an absolute majority, leaving room for alliances among PAM, the National Rally of Independents (66 seats), Istiqlal (65 seats), and smaller parties.
Benkirane’s clear preference for opposition reinforces Morocco’s distinctive political pattern. Parties, including those with an Islamist reference, can gain, lose, and regain influence through competitive elections without disrupting institutional continuity.
