Rabat, Sept 24. (dpa/GNA) – Morocco’s centre-right Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), won the largest number of seats in Wednesday’s parliamentary election, according to preliminary results released on Thursday.
Moroccans went to the polls to elect a new 395-seat parliament. PAM, a monarchy-aligned party which is part of the governing coalition, secured 97 seats, 10 more than in the previous election.
It was followed by its governing partners, the National Rally of Independents (RNI) and the Istiqlal party with 66 and 65 seats respectively.
The moderate Islamist Justice and Development Party, which suffered a crushing defeat in the 2021 parliamentary election, have made a strong comeback by securing 54 seats.
The party had held power for a decade following the uprisings that began in the region in 2011. With no party expected to secure the 198 seats needed for an absolute majority, parties will now need to negotiate to form a governing coalition.
However, a repeat of the outgoing alliance between the PAM, RNI, and Istiqlal appears less likely due to criticisms of the coalition’s term in office.
Voter turnout dropped to 38%, the lowest level in nearly 20 years, according to official figures, highlighting the growing voter apathy within the North African kingdom.
The figure refers only to the approximately 15.8 million eligible voters who had registered in advance. When all 26.7 million eligible voters in the country are taken into account, turnout falls to just 22%.
Morocco’s new government will have to tackle several economic and social challenges as well as growing youth discontent.
Young people in particular are widely seen as disillusioned with politics in Morocco, with deep mistrust of parties and public institutions.
GNA