The first election under Morocco's amended constitution has landed several established candidates in the opposition camp.
The victory by Morocco's Justice and Development Party (PJD) in the November 25h legislative elections came as a surprise to few, but many long-time politicians were left out.
The PJD was keen to cover virtually every constituency this time around (91 out of 92) and garnered widespread support judging by the map of constituencies where it triumphed, sometimes by an unprecedented margin.
In a press conference on Sunday (November 27th) at the party's headquarters in Rabat, PJD Secretary-General Abdelilah Benkirane said that despite the victory it was important to remain realistic, given the enormity of the social and economic challenges.
He promised to cut down the number of ministers and to award cabinet positions on merit, adding there would be no question of technocrats being brought in. It is not necessary for his party to get the most important departments, he said.
Benkirane then turned his attention to those who were still sceptical about the direction taken by the party, stressing that the PJD would not touch Moroccans' civil liberties. On the sale of alcohol, for example, he said that the trade was already regulated. He added that his party has no intention of attacking those who drink alcohol or dictating to women what they should wear.
On the economic front, he said the government could not sweep away the problem of unemployment in a single stroke. The PJD promised in its manifesto that it would reduce unemployment by two points, introduce a training fund to help 100,000 young people, and increase the national minimum wage to 3,000 dirhams.
"We need first to get down to the business of stamping out corruption before we can turn our attention to employment," Benkirane said.
The PJD's crushing victory was expected because, as he explained, the Moroccan people simply voted for change. "It comes as no surprise to us, and our victory was widely deserved," Benkirane told Magharebia after Saturday's announcement of the provisional results by the interior ministry.
"On the whole, the results were no surprise, given the increased turnout and the highly charged regional context in which the elections took place," commented Nabil Benabdallah, the secretary-general of the Party of Progress and Socialism (PPS). "Nor should we forget that many electors wanted to cast a protest vote."
The National Rally of Independent's (RNI) defeat at the hands of the PJD was seen by many as a huge disappointment for the eight parties making up the "Alliance for Democracy" platform. Many had been convinced that the eight-party alliance was on course to win these elections.
RNI chief Salaheddine Mezouar admitted that his party had expected to do much better. "We worked to win the elections, but there was always the possibility of not winning," he explained. He went on to add that "the new constitution also offers a privileged, distinguished position to the opposition, and that is another victory for Moroccan democracy".
The election results also came as a disappointment to long-time politicians who had become used to winning seats in Parliament. Those people included cleric Abdelbari Zemzami from the PRV, businessman Faouzi Chaâbi, former Sale mayor Driss Sentissi, Labour Party Secretary-General Abdelkrim Benatiq, former Rabat mayor Omar Bahraoui, former PPS Secretary-General Ismail Alaoui, the RNI's Abdelaziz El Hafidi, and the UC's Najib Reffouch.
Other politicians, facing potential defeat, decided not to enter the race.
The public has high hopes for the future. Those who voted for the PJD expect change to come. Hakim, a craftsman, said the party represents the voice of the people and that its leaders are well-known for their integrity and earnestness. "I believe they'll do all they can to push the country forward and help the poorest people," he said.
Sociologist Samira Kassimi said that the women's movement remains fearful of the Islamist party's victory, despite the PJD's reassurances. However, she did not see the electoral win as cause for worry.
"If, after five years, people are not satisfied with the PJD, then they can punish them through the ballot box," Kassimi said. "We have to accept democracy. Added to which, I don't think that the PJD will take a stand against moderate positions in Morocco."
© Magharebia.com 2011
