The liberal-centrist Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) has won 97 seats in Morocco’s legislative election to become the largest group in the 395-seat House of Representatives.
Official preliminary results announced by Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit show PAM leading its outgoing coalition partner, the National Rally of Independents, which secured 66 seats, while the Istiqlal Party obtained 65 seats.
The opposition Islamist Justice and Development Party staged a major comeback by winning 54 seats, rising from just 13 in the previous election following the return of former Prime Minister Abdelilah Benkirane. Overall voter turnout dropped to 38%, down from 50% in 2021, reflecting reduced public engagement amid economic pressures and high youth unemployment.
Under Morocco’s constitution, King Mohammed VI will appoint the next Prime Minister from PAM as the party with the most seats, placing the organisation at the center of upcoming coalition negotiations to form a government tasked with managing major economic reforms and preparing for the 2030 World Cup.
–Reuters/ChannelAfrica–
