Morocco's Liberal PAM Party Wins Parliamentary Election with 97 Seats

Morocco’s liberal Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), led by Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri, has emerged victorious in the country's parliamentary election, securing 97 of the 395 available seats in the legislature, according to preliminary official results released on Thursday. The outcome marks a significant political shift following a tightly contested campaign focused primarily on economic recovery, social welfare expansion, and administrative reform in the North African kingdom.

Trailing behind the PAM, the ruling National Rally of Independents (RNI)—which headed the outgoing coalition government—finished in second place with 66 seats, while the historic nationalist Istiqlal Party closely followed with 65 seats. The preliminary results reflect a fragmented parliament, necessitating complex coalition negotiations to form a stable governing majority in the coming weeks.

The elections took place against the backdrop of Morocco’s unique constitutional framework, where political parties compete for legislative dominance while ultimate strategic direction, particularly in foreign policy, defense, and religious affairs, remains vested in the monarchy headed by King Mohammed VI. Despite these constitutional boundaries, parliament holds substantial authority over domestic policy, public spending, and socioeconomic legislation, making the legislature a vital arena for addressing pressing domestic concerns.

Throughout the electoral cycle, the campaign was dominated by voter anxieties regarding persistent inflation, post-pandemic economic resilience, and structural unemployment, particularly among the nation's youth. The PAM centered its platform on modernization, decentralization, and robust economic growth, resonating with urban electorates seeking alternatives to the incumbent administration's fiscal policies. Meanwhile, the RNI defended its record on expanding the country's social safety net, including the phased rollout of universal healthcare and direct financial aid programs.

As Rabat prepares for the formation of a new government, the political transition carries broader implications for the wider Mediterranean and North African regions. Stability in Morocco remains a cornerstone of regional security and economic cooperation, particularly given its strategic position as a bridge between Africa and Europe, its critical role in counter-terrorism partnerships, and its management of vital trade routes along the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts.