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Morocco's PAM wins most seats in parliamentary election

Morocco's PAM wins most seats in parliamentary election

Rule Changes

PAM takes 97 of 395 seats; El Mansouri could become Morocco's first female prime minister

Today: PAM wins 97 seats, RNI 66, Istiqlal 65, PJD 54

Overview

Updated 1 hour ago

Morocco's Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) won 97 of 395 parliamentary seats in Wednesday's election, more than any other party. The result puts PAM leader Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri in line to become Morocco's first female prime minister.

PAM needs coalition partners to reach the 198 seats required for a majority. Voter turnout hit 38%, the lowest in nearly two decades. The next government will oversee infrastructure spending tied to the 2030 World Cup, which Morocco co-hosts with Spain and Portugal.

Why it matters

Morocco's next government oversees $20 billion in World Cup infrastructure and economic policy for five years, amid record-low voter trust.

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Key Indicators

97
Seats won by PAM
Largest share of the 395-seat House of Representatives.
66
Seats won by RNI
The outgoing governing party finished second, down from its 2021 lead.
54
Seats won by PJD
Moderate Islamist party surged from 13 seats in the 2021 election.
38%
Voter turnout
Lowest turnout in nearly two decades, down from 50% in 2021.

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People Involved

Organizations Involved

Timeline

September 2021 September 2026

3 events Latest: Today
  1. PAM wins 97 seats, RNI 66, Istiqlal 65, PJD 54

    Today Election results

    Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit announced preliminary results. Turnout was 38%, the lowest in nearly two decades.

  2. Moroccans vote in parliamentary election

    Election

    Polling day for the 395-seat House of Representatives amid youth unemployment and demands for better public services.

  3. RNI wins 2021 election; PJD collapses to 13 seats

    Election

    RNI led by Aziz Akhannouch won the most seats, ending a decade of Islamist-led government. PJD fell from governing party to 13 seats.

Scenarios

1

El Mansouri Named Morocco's First Female Prime Minister

Possible Resolves by Dec 1, 2026

Discussed by: The National, ABC News, Reuters

King Mohammed VI appoints El Mansouri as required by the constitution, which mandates the prime minister come from the party with the most seats. She assembles a coalition with Istiqlal (65 seats) and leftist parties USFP, PPS, and FGD (53 combined), reaching a majority without RNI. The outcome depends on whether those parties accept PAM's policy terms and whether the palace backs her.

2

Lekjaa Chosen as Prime Minister for the World Cup Government

Possible Resolves by Dec 1, 2026

Discussed by: ABC News

The king bypasses El Mansouri in favor of Fouzi Lekjaa, whose role as budget minister and football federation president makes him a natural manager of the 2030 World Cup build-out. Lekjaa joined PAM weeks before the vote, so his appointment would honor the election result while giving the palace a technocrat attuned to infrastructure and sports diplomacy.

3

PAM Forced Back Into Coalition With RNI

Unlikely Resolves by Dec 15, 2026

Discussed by: The National

If Istiqlal or the leftist parties refuse PAM's terms, PAM may need RNI's 66 seats to reach a majority, despite ruling out a renewed partnership during the campaign. That would require swallowing a party PAM leaders publicly blamed for failed policies, producing a fragile coalition under heavy public scrutiny.

Historical Context

3 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

July 2011

Morocco's 2011 constitutional reform (2011)

After Arab Spring protests, Morocco adopted a constitution requiring the king to appoint the prime minister from the party that wins the most parliamentary seats. The reform also expanded parliament's powers over legislation and the budget.

Then

The PJD won the 2011 election and formed a government, marking the first time the Islamist party led Morocco.

Now

The monarchy retained control over defense, foreign affairs, and strategic policy, meaning elections determine who manages the state but not who sets its core direction.

Why this matters now

This constitution is the mechanism that turns PAM's seat victory into a claim on the prime ministership.

September 2021

Morocco's 2021 election (2021)

The National Rally of Independents won the largest share in Morocco's 2021 election, ending a decade of Islamist-led government. The PJD, which had governed since 2011, collapsed to 13 seats. RNI went on to govern with PAM and Istiqlal.

Then

Aziz Akhannouch became prime minister and led a three-party coalition for five years.

Now

The coalition eroded amid policy disagreements; PAM and RNI relations grew strained, setting up the 2026 realignment.

Why this matters now

The 2021 result created the coalition that just fractured, with PAM now breaking from its former partner RNI.

October 2021

Tunisia appoints first Arab female prime minister (2021)

Tunisia's president appointed Najla Bouden as prime minister, making her the first woman to lead a government in the Arab world. Bouden, an engineering professor, formed a technocratic cabinet amid a political crisis.

Then

Bouden formed a government and served as head of state in a period of economic strain.

Now

Her appointment set a precedent for women leading Arab governments, though Tunisia's political trajectory since has been marked by executive centralization.

Why this matters now

If El Mansouri is appointed, she would be the second Arab woman to hold the post, drawing a direct comparison with Bouden.

Sources

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