Morocco’s PAM won 97 of 395 parliamentary seats in Wednesday’s election, according to preliminary official results, ahead of RNI (66) and Istiqlal (65). It must now negotiate a coalition; the king appoints the prime minister from the party with the most seats.
PAM leaders have ruled out another alliance with RNI as the parties trade accusations over failed policies. The next coalition will oversee the final stages of a $20 billion effort to prepare for the 2030 World Cup and initiatives to reduce inequality and address youth discontent. The king retains broad powers over policy direction, defence and foreign affairs.
Turnout was 38.02%, down from 50% in 2021. Of about 27 million voting-age Moroccans, 15.8 million were registered, around 12% fewer than in 2021, official data showed. The Islamist Justice and Development Party won 54 seats, up from 13, buoyed by the return of former prime minister Abdelilah Benkirane.
