PAM faces difficult alliance talks after legislative election victory

Sunday 04 - 16:15

The Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) has entered a sensitive phase following its victory in Morocco’s September 23 legislative elections, with negotiations over the next governing majority set to test the party’s ability to reconcile competing views within its own ranks.

The party’s National Council, meeting behind closed doors at the Congress Palace in Skhirat on Saturday, gave Prime Minister Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri a clear mandate to lead talks on the formation of the new majority. She will conduct the negotiations alongside a committee appointed by the PAM’s political bureau.

The decision comes as internal pressure mounts for the party to reconsider the political architecture of the previous government, particularly its partnership with the National Rally of Independents (RNI).

Alliance strategy becomes a central issue

The National Council meeting exposed differing opinions over the direction PAM should take after its electoral success. While some members advocated firm positions on potential partners, others pushed for maintaining room for dialogue during the negotiations.

El Mansouri described the discussions as intense and marked by significant differences of opinion. The debate, she said, included calls for clearly defined red lines as well as arguments in favour of broad and open consultations.

Despite those differences, the National Council ultimately reached a unanimous decision to authorize her to conduct the coalition talks.

The mandate gives the prime minister considerable political responsibility at a moment when the composition of the next government remains uncertain. With formal negotiations expected to begin this week, PAM must now translate its electoral victory into a workable parliamentary majority.

Pressure to break with the previous majority

One of the strongest themes emerging from the National Council discussions was opposition to simply reproducing the previous coalition formula.

Several PAM members reportedly urged El Mansouri to avoid renewing the party’s alliance with the RNI, signalling that the formation of the next government could involve a significant reshuffling of political partnerships.

The debate reflects a broader question facing PAM: whether its electoral victory should lead to continuity in government or provide an opportunity to redefine its alliances and political priorities.

Mohamed Hjira, a newly elected PAM lawmaker and member of the party’s National Council, was among the figures reflecting the mood of the discussions, which were dominated by calls for a departure from the previous majority arrangement.

Istiqlal statement adds uncertainty

The political landscape was further complicated by comments from Istiqlal Party Secretary-General Nizar Baraka.

Speaking before members of his own party’s National Council, Baraka said that PAM had decided against renewing a governing majority with the RNI. He later withdrew the statement, acknowledging that it was inaccurate.

The episode nevertheless highlighted the intense speculation surrounding the coalition talks and the uncertainty over which parties could ultimately form the next government.

For PAM, the immediate challenge is therefore not simply to negotiate a majority, but to manage expectations both within the party and among potential coalition partners.

Formal negotiations set to begin

With the National Council having completed its deliberations, El Mansouri is now moving from internal consultation to formal negotiations.

The process is expected to determine whether PAM will seek continuity with previous partners or construct a different coalition following its electoral victory. The positions expressed during the closed-door meeting suggest that the choice of allies will be closely watched, particularly in relation to the RNI.

El Mansouri said the next phase would begin during the week, opening what could become a decisive period for Morocco’s post-election political landscape.

The outcome of the talks will ultimately reveal whether PAM’s victory translates into a new governing formula or a revised version of the existing political balance.