Morocco Elections Hailed as Democratic Milestone by Arab World Institute President

"These elections strengthen Morocco’s influence, its democratic anchoring and its international prestige," declared the president of the Arab World Institute (IMA), Jack Lang, the day after the legislative, municipal and regional elections, stating that "Morocco combines solidity, stability and democracy". He also expressed his pride in the model represented by the kingdom for other countries.

Taking the opportunity, Lang congratulated the president of the Rally of Independents (RNI), Aziz Akhannouch, who emerges in first place with 97 seats. According to him, the result of these elections is "a blessing for the Moroccans themselves and very good news for the European partners of the Kingdom, including France". Moreover, the high voter turnout, despite the pandemic, is also a better barometer.

It should be noted that for these elections, the turnout rate was 50.35% nationally, compared to 43% in the 2016 legislative elections. The highest turnout rates were obtained in Laâyoune-Sakia-El Hamra with 66.94%, Dakhla-Oued-Eddahab (58.30%) and Guelmim-Oued Noun (63.76%). The Justice and Development Party (PJD) (Islamist) is the biggest loser in these elections, falling from 125 seats to 12, behind its main competitors, the National Rally of Independents (RNI), the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), both of a liberal tendency, and the Istiqlal Party (center-right), who come out with 97, 82 and 78 seats respectively out of 395 deputies, according to the Minister of the Interior Abdelouafi Laftit, in a press briefing.