Morocco election 2026: Benkirane rules out PJD role in next government

16:20

The Justice and Development Party (PJD) will not seek a place in Morocco’s next government, Secretary-General Abdelilah Benkirane said following the September 23 legislative elections, while calling for an internal party meeting to assess the result and determine the political direction ahead.

Benkirane’s position comes after the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) emerged as the largest party in the provisional results, winning 97 seats in the 395-member House of Representatives. The PJD secured 54 seats, placing fourth behind the National Rally of Independents (RNI) with 66 and the Istiqlal Party with 65.

Benkirane calls for a new assessment of the PJD result

Speaking to the press after the publication of the preliminary election results, Benkirane described the PJD's performance as a form of political recovery, while acknowledging that he had expected the party to obtain a larger number of seats.

He argued that the party had regained a significant position in national political debate after the sharp decline it experienced in the 2021 elections. In his assessment, the latest result represents a break with that earlier setback and gives the PJD an opportunity to consolidate its renewed parliamentary presence.

The party's National Council is expected to meet on Saturday to examine the election outcome and discuss the next phase of its political strategy.

PJD rules out joining a PAM-led executive

Despite the PJD's return to a more substantial parliamentary presence, Benkirane said his party would not participate in a government expected to be formed under PAM leadership.

He argued that joining such an executive would create what he described as an unbalanced government. His position effectively places the PJD outside the immediate coalition-building process, although the final composition of the next government will depend on negotiations among the parties represented in Parliament.

Under the provisional results, PAM holds 97 seats, meaning it does not have enough seats to govern alone. Any government seeking parliamentary confidence will therefore require support from additional political parties.

Benkirane raises allegations over the election

Benkirane also questioned the circumstances surrounding PAM's electoral victory. He alleged that political actors had interfered in the voting process and said these claims had already been raised during election night.

These statements represent the PJD leader's political assessment of the election and should be distinguished from the official provisional results. The Interior Ministry said the election was conducted under generally favorable conditions, while noting that isolated complaints and violations were dealt with through the appropriate procedures.

The ministry reported a nationwide turnout of 38.08% and said isolated incidents did not affect the overall conduct of the electoral process.

Political differences with PAM remain

Benkirane also addressed his relationship with Fouzi Lekjaa, who has become a prominent figure within PAM. He distinguished personal relations from political disagreements, saying that cordial relations between individuals do not prevent political opposition between parties.

His remarks indicate that the PJD intends to maintain a clear political distinction from the party that emerged first in the legislative elections.

A different role for the PJD after 2026

The PJD's 54 seats give it a significant parliamentary presence in the new House, but Benkirane's announcement points toward an opposition role rather than participation in the next executive.

The party's National Council meeting will provide an institutional setting for reviewing the election result and discussing its priorities for the new parliamentary term.

The provisional distribution leaves PAM with 97 seats, followed by RNI with 66, Istiqlal with 65, PJD with 54, Popular Movement with 29 and the Socialist Union of Popular Forces with 26.

For the PJD, the immediate political question is therefore less about entering government and more about how to translate its renewed parliamentary representation into a defined opposition strategy.