The Moroccan method of fighting Islamists

In Tunisia, the president had to intervene on July 25 to freeze parliament, which the Ennahda party controlled, and dissolve the government.

In Morocco, the task has been left to the democratic process. Islamists came to the polls and their right to run the government is enshrined in the constitution. They had two legislatures, but, in the absence of an absolute majority, they had to govern in alliance with other parties.

It is up to the citizens to decide whether they can continue or leave. They decided that the Islamists did not add value to the country and the citizens. They are criticized for making unpopular decisions and being arrogant. This is, moreover, a common feature for all Islamists.

What was at stake in these elections was of the utmost importance. The government was led by an Islamist-led coalition of the Justice and Development Party, which had 125 seats in the first chamber of parliament. His arrival in business dates back to 2011, at the height of the movement called the Arab Spring. Although it has neither initiated nor participated in the preparation of this movement, the PJD has mounted this wave to propose itself as the “savior” of the country, the only possible alternative. This is an argument that will be repeated during the two terms of the party at the head of government.

However, judging by the results, voters did not use this criterion in the September 8 election. Hence the very severe sanction imposed on the party. He only got 12 deputies. Even the secretary general, who is the head of government, could not save his seat. Neither do their ministers.

Islamist rebels see Hayat Tahrir al-Sham outside the villages of Al-Foua and Kefraya (credit: KHALIL ASHAWI / REUTERS)

The party that won this election is the Rassemblement National des Indépendants (RNI, centrist) led by Aziz Akhannouch, the current government’s Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development. His party won 97 seats. It is followed by the Party of Authenticity and Modernity (82) and the Istiqlal Party (78). The Union Socialiste des Forces Populaires Socialist is far behind with 35 seats. These are the most important matches; the rest of the seats are distributed among several other formations.

The configuration of parliament is completely changed. PJD, the party that has dominated the House of Representatives since 2011, becomes the eighth largest party.

Although a simple majority in the House of Representatives requires 198 deputies, it is nevertheless considered a comfortable majority between 210 and 220 deputies. This leaves a lot of room for maneuver for the RNI, as according to the constitution it is the responsibility to form the future government.

The results of these elections are due, among other things, to the mobilization of young people. Most of the election campaign took place on social media, indicating a radical change in the way politics is conducted. Young people do not adhere to the PJD’s discourse, which focused on moral considerations, which these same Islamists did not respect. Several cases of immorality or embezzlement of public funds have discredited the party.

Young people’s concerns focused on work, health, public school and economic opportunities, and they hadn’t seen anything for ten years. On the other hand, they were able to observe the work done by the ministers of the RNI (trade, industry, new technologies and finance), who were the first at the front against the pandemic and its economic and social effects.

As for the organization, Moroccan and foreign observers were unanimous in saying that the vote took place under normal conditions.

In fact, shortly after the polls closed, the U.S. embassy in Rabat expressed its congratulations on the success of the triple vote.

“The US embassy congratulates the Kingdom of Morocco on holding successful elections today. Our shared commitment to democratic processes strengthens our 200-year partnership, “the representation wrote on its Twitter account.