RNI leadership: Moulay Hafid Elalamy rules out any political comeback

Thursday 15 January 2026 - 16:00

By: Sahili Aya

RNI leadership: Moulay Hafid Elalamy rules out any political comeback

Moulay Hafid Elalamy, businessman and former Moroccan minister affiliated with the National Rally of Independents (RNI), has definitively dismissed any possibility of returning to political life or seeking the presidency of the party currently leading the governing coalition.

In recent days, Elalamy’s name had circulated as a potential successor to Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, following the latter’s decision not to seek a third term as head of the RNI. However, sources close to the former Minister of Industry stress that he has neither expressed interest nor taken any steps toward a political candidacy.

According to a well-informed source, Elalamy is fully focused on his professional commitments and has no intention of re-entering partisan politics at this stage. His current responsibilities in the private sector, particularly within the Saham Group, leave little room for active political engagement.

This clear denial puts an end to speculation fueled by Akhannouch’s withdrawal, which many observers interpreted as a signal of broader political repositioning ahead of the 2026 elections. Elalamy had been mentioned alongside other prominent figures as a possible transitional leader capable of preserving party unity.

With Elalamy stepping aside, the RNI now faces a critical challenge: identifying a new leadership capable of maintaining internal cohesion while navigating an increasingly competitive political landscape. Analysts view this phase as a test of the party’s institutional maturity, especially as electoral deadlines draw closer.

While Akhannouch’s decision does not necessarily signal a full retreat from public influence, it marks the end of a political chapter and opens a period of strategic realignment. The RNI’s ability to adapt without relying on its most prominent figures will likely shape its future role in Morocco’s political scene.