Moroccan ruling coalition quarrels over ministerial posts as election campaign looms
Allies in Morocco’s governing coalition are publicly accusing each other and swapping loyalties ahead of the September 23 parliamentary vote.
Tensions within Morocco’s ruling alliance of the National Rally of Independents, Authenticity and Modernity Party and Istiqlal Party have surfaced publicly before the official campaign starts on September 10. A circulating recording, linked to House Speaker Rachid Talbi Alami, shows criticism of budget minister Fouzi Lekjaa and warns against giving him a future finance portfolio. RNI leader Mohamed Chouki and Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch defended internal debate as normal, while Lekjaa rejected pre-election division of posts.
Candidate lists from 27 parties have already been submitted, and 15.8 million voters are on the rolls for the September 23 parliamentary election, which will determine the next government’s composition. Opposition parties, including the Justice and Development Party under Abdelilah Benkirane, are gearing up to challenge the incumbents on issues such as cost of living, employment and recent migration crises. The internal squabbles highlight how parties are already jockeying for influence ahead of the vote.
Why it matters
Voters need to know that governing parties are already negotiating power shares before the election, which could affect future policy decisions.
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