Having come out on top in the legislative elections of September 23, the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) is opening a new political chapter in Morocco. Against a backdrop of low voter turnout, governance challenges, and preparations for the 2030 World Cup, the next government will have to support the Kingdom’s development ambitions while also responding to the population’s social expectations.
A PAM Victory Amid High Abstention
Morocco’s political landscape is undergoing a new evolution. According to the provisional results announced on September 24 by the Ministry of the Interior, PAM came in first place with 97 seats out of the 395 seats in the House of Representatives.
PAM was ahead of the National Rally of Independents (RNI), which won 66 seats, the Istiqlal Party with 65 seats, and the Justice and Development Party (PJD), which obtained 54.
The election took place under generally normal conditions, according to Moroccan authorities, who nevertheless reported isolated incidents. Voter turnout, however, is one of the main takeaways from the election.
With 38.08% of registered voters casting ballots, compared with 50.86% in 2021, the decline in participation is significant. Nearly six out of ten registered voters did not go to the polls.
This level of abstention raises questions about the relationship between citizens and their representatives. It comes at a time when employment, purchasing power, regional inequalities, and access to public services are among the population’s main concerns.
The next government will therefore face a dual challenge: building a parliamentary majority while providing concrete responses to economic and social expectations.
Fouad Ali El Himma: The Legacy of a Political Modernization Project
PAM’s first-place finish has once again brought attention to the history of a party whose creation in 2008 is closely associated with Fouad Ali El Himma, who is now an adviser to His Majesty King Mohammed VI.
A central figure in the party’s founding, Fouad Ali El Himma helped shape a political project based on modernizing public life, renewing the political elite, and promoting regional development.
At its creation, PAM also sought to contribute to a reshaping of Morocco’s party system and to serve as a counterweight to the growing influence of Islamist parties.
Its historical proximity to the Kingdom’s institutional establishment has nevertheless prompted debate about its political positioning and role in national political life.
Nearly two decades after its founding, the party has reached a new milestone by coming first in a legislative election.
This first-place finish gives it a particular institutional responsibility. Under Article 47 of the Constitution, the King appoints the head of government from the party that comes first in the legislative elections.
PAM will nevertheless have to seek partners in order to form a majority.
The parliamentary configuration leaves open the possibility of renewing the alliance between PAM, RNI, and Istiqlal. The three parties, which were members of the outgoing coalition, hold a total of 228 seats according to the provisional results.
PAM’s result therefore does not necessarily mean a complete break with the policies of the previous government. The composition of the future coalition and its program will make it possible to assess the extent of the political changes.
Governance: The Question of Conflicts of Interest
Beyond party balances, the new legislature comes after five years during which issues of transparency and conflicts of interest have been prominent in Morocco’s public debate.
The coexistence of government responsibilities and significant private economic interests raises a fundamental question: how can it be ensured that public decisions are made in the general interest, independently of the private interests of the officials concerned?
This issue does not, in itself, constitute proof of any wrongdoing. It nevertheless requires appropriate mechanisms for prevention, disclosure, and oversight.
In a country engaged in major investment programs, particularly in infrastructure, transportation, and regional development, transparency in public procurement is a major concern.
PAM’s arrival at the top of the election results opens a new political phase, but does not by itself guarantee the elimination of conflicts-of-interest risks.
The next government will be expected, in particular, to strengthen governance practices and preserve public confidence in institutions.
Political modernization, which was among PAM’s initial ambitions, will therefore have to be assessed through the commitments and results of the future government.
His Majesty King Mohammed VI: A Long-Term Development Vision
The political reshuffling is taking place as Morocco continues an economic and infrastructure transformation led by His Majesty King Mohammed VI.
Since ascending to the throne, the King has pursued several strategic directions aimed at modernizing infrastructure, strengthening the Kingdom’s economic attractiveness, and developing its international partnerships.
Investments in railways, ports, industry, and energy are contributing to this transformation.
This vision also has a social dimension: reducing regional disparities, improving access to essential services, and ensuring a fairer distribution of the benefits of economic growth.
One of the next government’s challenges will precisely be to reconcile the country’s economic ambitions with the population’s everyday needs.
The 2030 FIFA World Cup, which Morocco will co-host with Spain and Portugal, represents an important milestone.
Planned investments in transportation, sports facilities, tourism, and accommodation capacity could accelerate several major structural projects.
Their success will nevertheless have to be assessed beyond the competition itself, particularly in terms of their impact on employment, regional development, and public finances.
Institutional and Security Stability at the Heart of Morocco’s Strategy
The Kingdom’s stability is another important element of its development trajectory.
Under the reign of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Morocco has pursued a strategy combining institutional modernization, strengthened security capabilities, and international cooperation.
In the fight against terrorism, the country has developed an approach based in particular on intelligence gathering, anticipating threats, and cooperation with foreign partners.
This security dimension plays an important role in Morocco’s relations with several European states.
Institutional continuity and domestic security are also factors considered by investors and organizers of major international events.
Nevertheless, stability is not measured solely by security or institutional continuity. It also depends on the ability of public policies to respond to social expectations and reduce disparities between regions.
By 2030, these different dimensions will have to support the Kingdom’s development ambitions.
Morocco–Europe: A Strategic Partnership with Shared Interests
For Europe, Morocco’s political and economic evolution presents issues that extend well beyond the bilateral relationship.
Located at the crossroads of Europe and Africa, the Kingdom occupies a strategic position in trade, industrial supply chains, and Euro-Mediterranean relations.
The development of the automotive industry, renewable energy, port infrastructure, and logistics activities creates opportunities for cooperation with European companies.
These relationships can help diversify supply chains, support investment, and promote job creation on both sides of the Mediterranean.
Security cooperation is another pillar of the partnership, particularly in combating terrorism and transnational crime and managing migration-related issues.
These matters nevertheless involve sometimes divergent interests and require continuous dialogue between the partners.
The joint organization of the 2030 World Cup with Spain and Portugal provides another opportunity to develop economic, tourism, and institutional exchanges.
For European partners, supporting Morocco’s development therefore represents an avenue for economic and strategic cooperation. For Morocco, this partnership can contribute to the implementation of its projects, provided that the benefits also reach its population.
A New Legislature Facing the Expectations of Moroccans
PAM’s first-place finish opens a new phase of political negotiations in Morocco.
It highlights once again the modernization project associated with the party’s founding by Fouad Ali El Himma, while placing the party before the responsibilities involved in forming a government majority.
Low voter turnout nevertheless serves as a reminder that issues of political representation and public trust remain important.
As 2030 approaches, the next government will have to ensure continuity in major national projects, strengthen governance mechanisms, and address economic and social concerns.
The development vision advanced by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, the Kingdom’s institutional and security stability, and the deepening of relations with Europe are structural elements of this new political phase.
Beyond the election results, the challenge for the next legislature will be to translate Morocco’s economic and international ambitions into lasting improvements for its entire population.
