PJD Blocks Own Candidate as Habib El Malki Re-elected Speaker of Morocco’s House of Representatives

A consensus reached between the Party of Justice and Development (PJD) and the other components of the government majority has helped to strengthen the re-election of Habib El Malki as head of the House of Representatives.

"This consensus comes in recognition of the important legislative performance provided locally under the presidency of El Malki, but also of the parliamentary diplomacy that he has effectively conducted abroad in the service of the defense of the territorial integrity of Morocco," writes the newspaper Assabah.

In plain language, the PJD chose to go in the same direction as its other government partners, even if this required sacrificing the chances of its own cadres. It should be noted that this "sacred union" within the majority has stifled the ambitions of the PAM and the Istiqlal, who have not yet had their last word.

In its analysis, the daily Al Akhbar, on the other hand, speaks of a new sanction that the PJD has decided to inflict on Amina Maelainine, thanks to "the renewal of the office and structures of the House of Representatives". The current 7th Vice-President of the House of Representatives is notably reproached for "having recently exhibited herself in Paris, in tight jeans, mini-skirt and without the slightest veil".