PAM party victory stuns Moroccan political establishment
2009-06-19
Moroccan political upstart PAM swept the communal elections last week, surprising more established parties and forcing many long-time politicians to ask how it happened.
By Sarah Touahri for Magharebia in Rabat – 19/06/09
 [Abdelhak Senna/AFP/Getty Images] One week after the PAM swept Morocco's local elections, results are still being debated. |
The victory of the newly created Authenticity and Modernity (PAM) party in the June 12th local elections continues to make waves in Morocco, drawing a mixture of reactions ranging from surprise to indignation.
While the PAM’s leadership attributed their victory to views and methods that were attractive to voters, more established political parties accused the authorities of pulling the strings of the party, which was founded in June 2008 by a childhood friend of the King.
"This party used any means at its disposal to earn its position, starting with the number of its candidates. It fielded candidates who have no political scruples whatsoever," Ismail Alaoui, secretary-general of the Party of Progress and Socialism (PPS) said.
Alaoui believes it unlikely that the PAM will have any major impact on the political arena and has likened it to "the Constitutional Union (CU) when it was first formed and the National Rally of Independents (RNI) of the 1970s".
The Socialist Union of People's Forces (USFP) also cast doubt on the PAM’s success. Hassan Tarik, who works at the party’s headquarters, said that the PAM, which was founded by the ruling élite, will not fool the Moroccan public.
Driss Lachguer, who also works at the USFP’s central office, agreed, arguing that it is illogical for a newly created party to come first ahead of the other parties.
Political science professor Mohamed Kanzidi said that it was too early to judge the true position of the PAM, noting that it fared particularly well in rural areas, while the Justice and Development Party (PJD) won in the cities. He also noted that it had won over several members with election experience.
Responding to a question on the reasons for PAM's victory, Interior Minister Chakib Benmoussa pointed to the composition of the party, which has candidates who took part in the 2003 election and won 10% of the vote and 9% of seats.
"It was also the largest party in terms of the number of candidates it fielded," Benmoussa said on June 13th.
The PAM’s central office played down the criticisms levelled at it. The party’s secretary-general, Mohamed Cheikh Biadilah, said that it was the failure of the other parties that has driven them to react in this way towards his party.
"It’s a cultural thing. Moroccans always tend to pin the blame on others instead of taking responsibility themselves," he said at a press conference held on Wednesday 17 June to announce the party’s achievements.
The PAM leader said that his party’s views won voters over because they focused on the future. He also attributed the victory to party policies that targeted the local needs of each region.
Meanwhile, some politicians saw the PAM victory as a breath of fresh air.
Popular Movement MP Fatima Mustaghfir said that the PAM took on a test and passed it with flying colours after the disappointment of the partial elections.
"Moroccans are hoping for change. The PAM’s win is a message from voters to the parties", she said.
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ou bassou mbarek Posted 2009-06-19
I want to comment on these elections with sincerity. Moroccans like change. Therefore, don't be surprised for the victory of a new party. Yes, we like change. Thanks to everyone who voted for change.
BEN Posted 2009-06-19
"It's a cultural thing. Moroccans always tend to pin the blame on others rather than taking responsibility for themselves" -Biadillah Moroccans are rightfully averted to asking themselves questions, a democratic way of assuming one's responsibilities. I think that the legal system has shown these "Moroccans" right. It appears that there is a real problem on the political scene, which many have qualified as a "step backward" with a good dose of amateurism, which, at the base, has privileged elementary calculations of how many seats are given. But, we will find out! And, who knows! It has already been said that a miracle could be in the making. This is an opportunity for the traditional parties to regain their health and, moreover, to take to work in the face of the great challenge awaiting them in the coming elections.
ghani24 Posted 2009-06-20
Although I am not a fan of the newcomer that is PAM because it is still too soon to pronounce oneself based on an actual policy line, we must, nevertheless, recognise that, through its developments on the political landscape, PAM knew how to arouse the interest of the citizenry. Moreover, what remains incomprehensible is the position the so-called "established" parties took: instead of being objective about themselves and their militants through self-criticism on the reasons for their failure, they are holding a grudge against PAM, advancing unfounded and pointless excuses. Furthermore, the question being posed to the "established" parties is as follows: 1) Given you were privileged by being historic parties, rooted in the political landscape of Morocco, why were you not able to establish your representatives throughout the entirety of our national territory? If you are legitimate people's parties and really hold the political ground you pretend to, then I do not thing that PAM or any other newcomer would find grounds of their own.
FOUAD Posted 2009-06-22
Beyond the fact that these "elections" were completely rigged (as, alas, we are accustomed to), there is the fact that for many, this was a "punishment vote". Indeed, many intellectual progressives and Moroccans aware of what is going on expressly wanted to punish the one and only valid party in Morocco, the USFP, for beginning to flirt with "compromising" with obscurantist parties such as the PJD. The USFP's official stance toward amending the constitution to limit executive power is commendable, but also spoiled by its unnatural rapprochement with the reactionary Islamists and scheming politicians, which even comes at the expense of its fundamental progressive principles.
raddad Posted 2009-06-30
I voted for change not because I love change but because it is a great party Mr Oubassou Mbark. Honestly, I liked your lightheartedness. you are the only one who resembles me and can be my friend.
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