Benkirane apologizes royal entourage controversy Essaouira

Abdelilah Benkirane is not withdrawing his Essaouira speech, but only one word. In a brief clarification published on the PJD website, the former head of government affirms that he maintains everything he declared in this city, with the exception of the word « قندوح » (which can be translated as parasite or opportunist), which he says he is withdrawing.

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The controversy arose from an intervention by Abdelilah Benkirane in Essaouira, during which the former head of government discussed the royal entourage. He had cited the king’s advisors before using the expression, which triggered numerous reactions.

The formula had sparked reactions following a Benkirane intervention before activists and supporters of the Party of Justice and Development in Essaouira.

In his text, Benkirane apologizes for this word, without revisiting the substance of his intervention. The clarification consists of just a few lines and clearly aims to limit the controversy to the use of one specific term.

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The PJD secretary general thus chooses a limited response: he acknowledges a vocabulary mistake, but reaffirms his commitment to the rest of his statements. A way to calm the controversy without disavowing his political discourse.