Leaders of Morocco’s governing coalition are set to hold a highly anticipated meeting on Wednesday, led by Aziz Akhannouch, President of the National Rally of Independents (RNI). Hespress AR sources within the coalition parties suggest that the meeting, expected to be “heated,” comes against the backdrop of escalating political maneuvering as preparations for the 2026 elections begin in earnest.
Dubbed the race for the “World Cup Government,” the coalition’s three main parties—RNI, Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), and the Istiqlal Party—are reportedly gearing up for a fierce competition to secure electoral victory. However, significant challenges have emerged within the coalition, testing its internal cohesion and coordination.
Since the last coalition meeting in October, aimed at addressing the new political season and strengthening collaboration on social and political reforms, tensions between the parties have come to light. Notably, public criticism and counterclaims between key figures in the coalition have raised doubts about its unity.
One flashpoint of contention arose from statements by Mohamed Oujjar, a prominent RNI leader and former Minister of Justice. Oujjar publicly criticized the government’s performance in urban planning, housing, and employment—sectors overseen by PAM officials Fatima-Zahra Mansouri and Younes Sekkouri. These remarks caused considerable friction within PAM ranks, prompting a response from Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, a member of PAM’s leadership and Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication.
Bensaid dismissed Oujjar’s critiques as misaligned and stated that such disagreements should be addressed within coalition meetings, signaling that PAM would bring unresolved “points of contention” to Wednesday’s gathering.
Adding to the tensions, Nizar Baraka, Secretary-General of the Istiqlal Party and Minister of Equipment and Water, has made public remarks reinforcing his party’s ambitions to win the next elections. These statements, coupled with incidents such as heated exchanges during parliamentary sessions, have further fueled speculation about discord within the coalition.
The upcoming meeting will serve as a critical test for the government’s ability to maintain its cohesion and unity in the lead-up to the 2026 elections. Whether the coalition can resolve its internal conflicts and present a united front remains uncertain, with many viewing Wednesday’s meeting as a defining moment for the current administration.
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