PJD Loses 112 Seats
Former leader Abdelilah Benkirane returns with 467 reforms to revive party after stunning electoral collapse
Morocco's Justice and Development Party (PJD) suffered a stunning electoral defeat in 2021, losing 112 seats and falling from 125 seats to just 13. The party is now attempting to rebuild, with the return of its former leader Abdelilah Benkirane.
The PJD's decline is a significant reversal of fortunes for a party that had been the main beneficiary of Morocco's post-2011 reforms. In the 2011 parliamentary election, the PJD won 107 seats, and its leader Abdelilah Benkirane became the head of government. The party increased its seats to 125 in the 2016 election, but Benkirane spent months unable to form a governing coalition.
In March 2017, King Mohammed VI appointed Saadeddine Othmani to replace Benkirane as head of government. The PJD remained in government until its electoral collapse four years later. The National Rally of Independents (RNI) won 102 seats in the 2021 election and became the largest party.
The PJD's 2026 programme outlines 467 measures across various areas, including transparency, public services, and economic reform. The party's rebuild efforts rest heavily on the return of Benkirane, whose personal profile and direct communication style have created a significant electoral capital for the party.
## What changed The 2011 constitutional changes in Morocco expanded the formal powers of Parliament and government, while retaining significant authority for the monarchy. The king appoints the head of government from the party that comes first in the House of Representatives. This change has had a lasting impact on the country's political landscape.
## Why it matters The PJD's dramatic fall and subsequent rebuild efforts have significant implications for Morocco's political future. The party's ability to recover and regain public trust will depend on its ability to implement meaningful reforms and connect with voters. The return of Benkirane and the party's 467-measure programme are key steps in this process.
The stakes are high, with the PJD's comeback potentially influencing the country's political trajectory. As one of Morocco's most prominent politicians, Benkirane's role in the party's rebuild efforts will be closely watched. The success or failure of the PJD's reforms will have a lasting impact on Morocco's political landscape, making the party's rebuild efforts a critical story to follow in the years to come.
