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Africa North

Morocco's long-ruling Islamists suffer crushing defeat to liberals

2021-09-10

Good.

[TIMESOFISRAEL] A Moroccan party run by a billionaire considered close to the monarchy won the most seats in legislative elections, while the Islamist party that has been in power for a decade suffered a stinging defeat, according to results announced Thursday.

With nearly all the votes counted, the Interior Ministry said the National Rally of Independents, or RNI, took 97 out of 395 seats in the lower house of parliament. The Islamist Justice and Development Party (PJD), which has led the government since 2011, won only 12 seats, down from 125 in the last elections in 2016.

RNI leader Aziz Akhannouch — considered by Forbes to be the richest person in Morocco — called the result “a victory for democracy, its spirit and its rules.”

His party has promised to create 1 million jobs to boost the economy after the pandemic, expand health insurance to all Moroccans, increase teacher salaries and provide a guaranteed pension for the elderly.

Under the country’s constitution, the king appoints the prime minister from the party which wins most seats, who will then proceed to form a government. Overall, the role of lawmakers is limited by the powers of King Mohamed VI, who oversees strategic decision-making in Morocco, an important ally of the West in efforts to fight extremism and stem migration from Africa to Europe.

Posted by:Fred

#4 Maybe this will resolve:

Algeria breaks off diplomatic ties with neighboring Morocco

.

Posted by: Skidmark 2021-09-10 10:58

#3 His party has promised to create 1 million jobs to boost the economy after the pandemic, expand health insurance to all Moroccans, increase teacher salaries and provide a guaranteed pension for the elderly.

Morocco has Democrats ?

Posted by: Besoeker 2021-09-10 10:43

#2 I hear the sound of gunfire in the distance.

Posted by: ed in texas 2021-09-10 10:41

#1
What Does The Latest DATA Say?

National Rally of Independents 102 +65 (is biggest winner)

Authenticity and Modernity Party 87 –15

Istiqlal Party 81 +35

Socialist Union of Popular Forces 34 +14
...
and the Justice and Development Party 13 –112 (biggest loser)

WHAT I SEE:
I see a growing number of SOCIALIST focused Political Groups.

I see the voters rejected the Justice and Development Party.
Was it because it was a moderate Islamic democracy political party and the voters are more tone down EU type Islamics?

A number of Monarchy related parties. Some more or less directly steered by the Monarchy.

SUMMARY:
Given this style of government. While the King picks the prime minister based on the largest winner. The King pretty much still has the final say.

Given the 2 largest groups are in direct opposition of each other and only hold 102 + 87 = 189 of the 395 seats. That means the majority of the seats (206)still rest with a collection of smaller political groups. If joined together, these smaller groups could become a real power and have a serious say.

Posted by: NN2N1 2021-09-10 07:12

00:00