Benkirane questions Morocco election results, accuses PAM of targeting PJD

Abdelilah Benkirane questioned the results of September’s parliamentary elections on Monday, claiming his Justice and Development Party (PJD) had won more seats than officially allocated while accusing the ruling Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) of seeking to marginalize his party.

Speaking to PJD lawmakers, Benkirane said he believed his party had repeatedly secured more seats than reflected in official results, including in the September 23 election, which gave it 54 seats and fourth place.

Benkirane nevertheless acknowledged the political setbacks that contributed to the PJD’s collapse in the 2021 elections, saying the party’s losses could not be explained solely by electoral fraud. He attributed part of its defeat to mistakes made by its own leadership, including himself.

The former premier accused PAM, which emerged as the largest party in September’s election, of having been established with the intention of excluding the PJD from Moroccan politics. He argued that PAM’s victory reflected both the PJD’s earlier decline and the weakening of Islamist political movements internationally.

Benkirane challenges government over spending

Benkirane also attacked PAM leaders over allegations linking PJD members to drug trafficking, rejecting the accusations and challenging his opponents to substantiate them.

Turning to economic policy, he welcomed government promises to improve purchasing power but warned that excessive spending could worsen Morocco’s public debt. He directly criticized Economy and Finance Minister Fouzi Lekjaa for attacking opposition parties rather than concentrating on fiscal policy.

Addressing Prime Minister Fatima Zahra El Mansouri, Benkirane defended Morocco’s Islamic and monarchical foundations, declaring that Moroccans wanted Islam and the monarchy.He also accused critics of the monarchy of political ignorance or disloyalty.

The remarks mark one of Benkirane’s strongest interventions since the September election, as the PJD seeks to rebuild its parliamentary influence following its recovery from the 2021 defeat.