Morocco's PAM Wins Most Seats in Fragmented Parliament, Coalition Needed

Morocco’s parliamentary election held on Sunday produced a fragmented result, with the Authenticity and Modernity Party (Parti Authenticité et Modernité, PAM) emerging as the largest single force by winning 97 of the 395 seats in the House of Representatives, according to preliminary official tallies. The ruling National Rally of Independents (Rassemblement National des Indépendants, RNI) secured 66 seats, while the historic Istiqlal Party obtained 65. No party came close to the 198‑seat threshold required for an outright majority, setting the stage for coalition negotiations that will likely involve the king’s input.

PAM, founded in 2008 by former interior minister Mohamed Cheikh Biadillah, positions itself as a centrist, pro‑reform bloc that supports the monarchy’s modernization agenda while appealing to urban middle‑class voters. Its rapid rise over the past decade has been aided by a reputation for pragmatic governance and a network of business ties, though critics accuse it of being a vehicle for the royal establishment to dilute opposition. The party’s strong showing reflects voter appetite for continuity in economic reforms, especially in sectors such as renewable energy and phosphate mining, which have underpinned Morocco’s recent growth.

The RNI, led by Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, is the party that currently forms the government in coalition with smaller allies. Akhannouch, a billionaire businessman, has steered a development‑focused agenda emphasizing foreign investment, tourism, and diversification away from agriculture. Despite its status as the incumbent governing coalition partner, the RNI’s vote share fell short of expectations, suggesting a modest rebuff of its economic liberalization policies and concerns over rising living costs among the electorate.

Istiqlal, Morocco’s oldest political organization dating back to the independence movement, retains a nationalist and socially conservative base, particularly in rural areas. Its 65 seats place it in a king‑maker position, as it can tip the balance in any coalition formation. Istiqlal’s platform emphasizes the protection of cultural identity, stronger social safety nets, and a firm stance on the Western Sahara dispute, where it aligns with the monarchy’s claim over the territory. The party’s performance indicates that while the electorate remains open to modernizing forces, there is still significant support for traditionalist perspectives.

Coalition talks are expected to begin within days, with the king’s palace likely playing a mediating role, as is customary in Morocco’s constitutional monarchy where the monarch retains authority over key appointments and foreign policy. Potential configurations include a PAM‑RNI partnership that would consolidate a reform‑oriented government, or a broader alliance that brings Istiqlal into the fold to secure a stable majority. The outcome will shape policy direction on economic diversification, social reforms, and the ongoing diplomatic balancing act between Western allies and emerging partners such as China.

The composition of Morocco’s parliament matters beyond its borders. A stable, reform‑friendly government can sustain the country’s role as a logistical hub linking Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, preserving trade routes that carry European automotive parts, North‑American agricultural exports, and Asian electronics—including products from Taiwan’s semiconductor and consumer‑device sectors. Moreover, Morocco’s ambitious renewable‑energy projects and its position as the world’s largest phosphate producer have implications for global supply chains and energy transition efforts. Political continuity or disruption will therefore influence foreign investment flows, regional security dynamics—particularly regarding the contested Western Sahara—and the broader economic environment in which Taiwanese firms operate across the Mediterranean and African markets.