Tensions Mount Within Morocco’s Ruling Coalition Ahead of Parliamentary Elections

Morocco is preparing for its upcoming parliamentary election scheduled for September 23, 2026, with the official campaign set to kick off on September 10. Ahead of the campaign, tensions have surfaced within the governing coalition as allies trade accusations, politicians switch camps, and a leaked recording exposes internal disputes at the highest levels.

Candidate nominations opened on August 31, and the Interior Ministry reported that 702 candidate lists from 27 political parties had been submitted by the afternoon of the first day. The ministry notes that approximately 15.8 million voters are registered for the election in a country of 36.8 million people, according to the 2024 census, while the High Commission for Planning (HCP) estimates the voting-age population at roughly 25 million.

Voters will elect members of the House of Representatives, the lower house of parliament. Under Morocco’s Constitution, the king appoints the head of government from the party that secures the most seats. However, because of the multi-party system, the winning party must negotiate to build a coalition capable of commanding parliamentary support. The current governing coalition consists of the National Rally of Independents (RNI), the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), and the Istiqlal Party.

Public disputes have brought underlying rivalries between these coalition partners into the open. A leaked audio recording attributed to House of Representatives Speaker Rachid Talbi Alami, a senior RNI figure, revealed tensions between the RNI and PAM concerning budget minister and senior government figure Fouzi Lekjaa. The leak followed accusations by the RNI that PAM was poaching its elected officials and candidates.

In the recording, the voice attributed to Talbi Alami appeared to criticize Lekjaa and cautioned against him securing the economy and finance portfolio in a future government. RNI President Mohamed Chouki, Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch, and Lekjaa himself all publicly responded, emphasizing that focus should remain on winning the election rather than dividing government posts beforehand.

Beyond internal coalition strife, opposition parties like the Justice and Development Party (PJD), led by Secretary-General Abdelilah Benkirane, are seeking to rebuild their political fortunes following a heavy defeat in the 2021 election. Key issues shaping the campaign include the rising cost of living, employment rates, healthcare, education, and the economic impact on households.

Additional sensitive issues, such as the recent mass crossing into Ceuta and ongoing debates over conflicts of interest and voter turnout, are further complicating the political landscape as parties vie for the electorate's support ahead of September 23.