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Hello and welcome to Hespress English\u2019s live coverage as Morocco elects its government.<\/p>\n
Here is what you need to know about Morocco\u2019s post-election period. Keep watch on our companion tracker for detailed developments as they happen.<\/span><\/p>\n The USFP named First Secretary Driss Lachgar and National Council President Mustapha Aajab to continue government formation talks with the Head of Government-designate Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri.<\/span><\/p>\n In a press release, the USFP emphasized that government is not an end in itself, whether the party is part of it or in opposition, but rather a national responsibility.<\/span><\/p>\n It emphasized that a government program can only succeed through a coalition whose members share common political and ideological beliefs.<\/span><\/p>\n Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri reacted to the PJD\u2019s decision not to attend the coalition talks, saying that all parties represented in Parliament received an invitation and that joining the talks remains each party\u2019s choice.<\/span><\/p>\n El Mansouri emphasized that PAM wanted to meet all political parties immediately after winning the elections, stressing that \u201cour common interest remains the nation.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Democratic and Social Movement Party (MDS) Secretary-General Abdessamad Archane said his party is ready to support the new government but called for a program that addresses the previous government\u2019s shortcomings, especially on social issues and purchasing power.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe told the Head of Government we are ready to provide all the support needed to make this new and unique experience a success, especially as this is the first time in Morocco\u2019s history that a woman has been appointed to this position. This is an important event in itself,\u201d he emphasized.<\/span><\/p>\n Archane emphasized that his party wants the next five years to deliver on citizens\u2019 expectations.<\/span><\/p>\n He noted further meetings will be held to discuss the shape of the next government as coalition talks continue.<\/span><\/p>\n The Constitutional Union called for youth employment, purchasing power, education and health care to feature prominently in the next government\u2019s program, Secretary-General Mohamed Joudar said Thursday after meeting Head of Government-designate Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri and leaders of the PAM. Joudar also stressed the need for greater social and territorial equality.<\/p>\n The party said talks on forming the next government would continue with PAM and other political forces. Joudar also welcomed El Mansouri\u2019s appointment and congratulated PAM on its first-place finish.<\/p>\n RNI has expressed its readiness to participate in the next government under Head of Government-designate Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri, saying it wants to help continue ongoing reforms and development projects.<\/p>\n In a statement issued after its political bureau met Tuesday, the party said participation in the next government would allow it to continue contributing from within government to completing ongoing reforms and addressing the challenges facing Morocco. The party\u2019s national council is due to meet Saturday to deliberate and formally decide on its participation.<\/p>\n The statement acknowledged the party\u2019s decline in the recent legislative elections but said the results nevertheless confirmed its position as a significant political force nationally, ending reports of internal opposition to joining forces with PAM.<\/p>\n PPS Secretary-General Nabil Benabdellah said Wednesday that the party has not yet decided whether to join the next government or move into opposition, with its position also dependent sas on which other parties enter the coalition.<\/p>\n Speaking after talks with designated Head of Government Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri and PAM leaders, Benabdellah said the two sides identified several areas of common ground, including democracy, rights and freedoms, political de-escalation, reform of the Family Code and ethics in public life.<\/p>\n Benabdellah said PPS would continue internal discussions before taking a position, while waiting for PAM to complete its initial round of consultations with political parties. He said the party\u2019s leadership is weighing different options for its role in the next political phase.<\/p>\n A delegation from the Party of Progress and Socialism (PPS) met Wednesday evening with the PAM committee led by the designated head of government, Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri, for government coalition talks.<\/span><\/p>\n The delegation is led by PPS Secretary-General Nabil Benabdellah and includes political bureau members Fatima Ezzahra Barsat, Said Akdad, Rachid Hammouni, and Abdelrahim Bennasser.<\/span><\/p>\n The Secretary General of the United Socialist Party (PSU) speaking for the Left Alliance said a potential parliamentary coalition with the PJD is inconceivable, joking that such combinations do not work in politics.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Both parties have sided with opposition.<\/p>\n USFP First Secretary Driss Lachgar said their meeting with PAM will remain confidential until the newly appointed head of government finishes her talks with all political parties.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cSince meetings are confidential, these talks will remain so, with optimism, until El Mansouri finishes her talks with all parties,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n Lachgar added that the talks were also an opportunity for members of the two parties to recall several political memories and events.<\/span><\/p>\n He noted that the meeting was also an opportunity to congratulate El Mansouri on the trust placed in her by King Mohammed VI.<\/span><\/p>\n Lachgar said that the USFP has always considered women\u2019s issues a central concern and sees El Mansouri\u2019s appointment as a real step forward for modernity and equality between men and women.<\/span><\/p>\n A senior RNI official told Hespress AR that the party\u2019s meeting with PAM this morning was held in a \u201cpositive atmosphere.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n The RNI political bureau is expected to meet at 6:30 p.m. to decide when the party\u2019s National Council will meet and consider a recommendation allowing party president Mohamed Chouki to continue the government formation talks.<\/span><\/p>\n The official said the party wants to put the country\u2019s interests first and give Chouki enough room to continue the talks before deciding whether RNI will join the government or move into opposition.<\/span><\/p>\n Another RNI political bureau member told Hespress the recommendation submitted to the National Council has not yet been decided, adding that the political bureau will meet with Morocco\u2019s interests in mind and take into account the role RNI members have played in previous governments.<\/span><\/p>\n RNI will join the coalition if it believes this is in the country\u2019s interests but will be ready to lead the parliamentary opposition if it decides otherwise, the source added.<\/span><\/p>\n A delegation from the Socialist Union of Popular Forces (USFP) has just arrived at PAM headquarters for government coalition talks.<\/span><\/p>\n The delegation is led by USFP\u2019s First Secretary Driss Lachgar and National Council President Mustapha Aajab.<\/span><\/p>\n Mohamed Ouzzine, secretary-general of Morocco\u2019s Popular Movement Party, revealed that his party and PAM have agreed on the need for a \u201cpositive break\u201d with the previous phase, adding that he hopes \u201cboth government and opposition parties will live up to expectations.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n He stressed that what matters most is the country, not whether a party is in government or opposition.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe all aim to serve the country from wherever we are, whether in government or opposition,\u201d he said, arguing that governments come and go while \u201cthe country remains the country.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n The secretary-general of the PM said that today\u2019s meeting came following an invitation from the newly appointed head of government, adding that it was also an opportunity to congratulate El Mansouri on the trust placed in her by King Mohammed VI and wish her success.<\/span><\/p>\n He also said that the meeting covered issues of concern to citizens, including youth, with many young people outside the social system.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n He called for greater openness to young people and solutions for them and also raised integrated territorial development programs and geopolitical issues, including the autonomy plan and challenges facing Morocco.<\/span><\/p>\n Senior RNI figures in the Casablanca-Settat region are pushing for the party to join the government being formed by the newly appointed head of government, Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri, according to Hespress AR sources.<\/span><\/p>\n A meeting held at the home of Chafik Benkirane two days ago brought together MPs elected in the September 23 legislative elections, provincial coordinators, and regional coordinator Mohamed Boussaid.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Most speakers backed joining the government rather than moving into opposition.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Some MPs called for the party to sit in opposition over what happened with their coalition partner during the election campaign.<\/span><\/p>\n Others, including senior and younger party members, called for the campaign to be left behind and for the party to focus on what comes next.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n They stressed the importance of joining the government, saying Moroccan voters did not punish the RNI as some had claimed and instead placed it second.<\/span><\/p>\n Most of the interventions backed joining the government coalition, as this would help the party stay close to citizens ahead of the 2027 local elections.<\/span><\/p>\n Mohamed Ouzzine, secretary-general of Morocco\u2019s Popular Movement Party, arrives at the PAM headquarters for coalition talks.<\/span><\/p>\n The secretary-general is accompanied by Hicham Rahil, a member of the party\u2019s political bureau, and Mohand Laenser, president of the Popular Movement. <\/span><\/p>\n Justice and Development Party (PJD) leader Abdelilah Benkirane told Hespress AR that the upcoming meeting with El Mansouri will not change the PJD\u2019s decision to join the opposition.<\/span><\/p>\n He said the party\u2019s National Council unanimously decided last Saturday not to join the next government and instead sit in the opposition.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cPeriod,\u201d he said, noting that all PJD bodies had backed a strong institutional opposition.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The party\u2019s General Secretariat had earlier said the PJD\u2019s \u201cnatural place\u201d is in a responsible and strong national opposition.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Benkirane ruled out any change in the party\u2019s position after the meeting, especially after PJD came fourth in the elections with 54 seats, more than quadrupling its previous 13 seats.<\/span><\/p>\n Istiqlal Secretary-General Nizar Baraka said the party\u2019s National Council will meet this weekend to discuss whether to join the next government.<\/span><\/p>\n Speaking after talks with designated Head of Government Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri, Baraka emphasized that restoring trust in politics means delivering on the promises made in parties\u2019 election programs.<\/span><\/p>\n He said the talks with PAM were an opportunity to congratulate the party on its election results, calling Mansouri\u2019s appointment as Head of Government a historic moment, as she is the first woman to hold the position.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Baraka added that the talks also focused on the current political situation, which he said was important given the many challenges that need to be addressed.<\/span><\/p>\n He also talked about the issue of trust in political life, emphasizing that it\u2019s necessary to rebuild trust in politics.<\/span><\/p>\n Baraka said election programs included many commitments, adding that delivering on them is key to rebuilding trust, while focusing on social issues is essential to restoring young people\u2019s trust, giving them hope, and opening new opportunities.<\/span><\/p>\n He added that Istiqlal will continue to support the political process regardless of its position.<\/span><\/p>\n The party believes Morocco needs broad mobilization to move beyond electoral competition and focus on building national strength to tackle its strategic, economic, and social challenges, including jobs, investment, citizens\u2019 purchasing power, and expanding the middle class.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Baraka also said Istiqlal would continue to defend Morocco\u2019s territorial integrity and national symbols, calling this a position in line with Morocco\u2019s national stance.<\/span><\/p>\n PPS Secretary-General Nabil Benabdellah has received a call from the newly appointed head of government, Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri, to set up a meeting as part of the government formation talks, a senior PPS official told Hespress AR.<\/span><\/p>\n Benabdellah is expected to join the second or third round of talks, the source added.<\/span><\/p>\n The expected meeting comes as PPS secured 19 seats in the September 23 elections, placing it seventh among the parties in Parliament.<\/span><\/p>\n PAM has received the Istiqlal delegation at its headquarters in Rabat for talks on forming the next government.<\/p>\n Istiqlal\u2019s delegation includes Secretary-General Nizar Baraka, National Council President Abdeljabbar Rachidi, and Executive Committee members Abdessamad Kayouh and Mohamed Ould Errachid.<\/p>\n RNI President Mohamed Chouki said talks with the newly appointed Head of Government Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri were \u201cclear and frank,\u201d adding that his party will put the national interest first in its future role.<\/span><\/p>\n Speaking at a press conference after the talks, Chouki congratulated El Mansouri on her appointment by King Mohammed VI, calling Morocco\u2019s first appointment of a woman as head of government a \u201chistoric moment in the country\u2019s political history.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe had responsible discussions with the designated Head of Government, with clarity and frankness,\u201d Chouki said.<\/span><\/p>\n The RNI president said the meeting was also an opportunity to discuss El Mansouri\u2019s vision for the future, adding that \u201cRNI is a responsible party that will contribute in the future while putting the national interest first at all times, as it has always done.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n PAM has begun consultations with political parties to form the next government, receiving an RNI delegation at its headquarters in Rabat.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n RNI President Mohamed Chouki led the delegation, accompanied by Rachid Talbi Alami and Mohamed Boussaid, a member of the RNI political bureau.<\/span><\/p>\n PAM\u2019s consultation team includes the newly appointed head of government, Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri, PAM Political Bureau members Abdellatif Ouahbi, Fouzi Lekjaa, and PAM Academy President Ahmed Akhchichine.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n PAM is expected to meet an Istiqlal delegation led by Nizar Baraka next.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n A meeting with the Popular Movement is scheduled for 3 p.m., while talks with the Justice and Development Party have yet to be scheduled. <\/span><\/p>\n Abdellatif Ouahbi has arrived at PAM headquarters in Rabat to take part in the government coalition talks.<\/p>\n He received RNI\u2019s Mohamed Chouki, Rachid Talbi Alami, and Mohamed Boussaid.<\/p>\n PAM called El Mansouri\u2019s nomination \u201ca significant milestone for Moroccan women and the country\u2019s democratic process,\u201d<\/p>\n PAM said it was extending a \u201chand of dialogue\u201d to all political forces, with the aim of forming a strong and cohesive government while also encouraging cooperation across the political spectrum, whether in government or opposition. The party expressed confidence in El Mansouri\u2019s ability to lead the next phase and meet the expectations of the king and Moroccan citizens.<\/p>\n El Mansouri will meet with representatives of the National Rally of Independents, or RNI, and the Istiqlal Party in Rabat as she begins negotiations with potential coalition partners.<\/p>\n The first meeting is scheduled for 11 a.m. with an RNI delegation led by party president Mohamed Chouki, followed by a noon meeting with an Istiqlal delegation headed by Secretary-General Nizar Baraka. Each meeting will be followed by a news conference, according to the parties.<\/p>\n 16:00 | King appoints PAM\u2019s El Mansouri as Head of Government\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n The Chief Executive elect is now tasked with forming a government, as numbers sway towards a 2021 sequel. Hespress sources within the RNI say the party is ready to join a PAM-led coalition, despite internal opposition to the idea. The Istiqlal Party, third seat holder in this election, said it is open to coalition negotiations under PAM.<\/p>\n Parties such as the PJD and the left alliance have declared their intention to side into the opposition.<\/p>\n PJD says it is leading across a string of cities. RNI says it expects to finish first. PAM says its early results look \u201cvery positive.\u201d The rhetoric has gone national faster than the count has.<\/p>\n What is becoming clearer is the local picture. PAM has the strongest early showing in Rabat<\/strong>, with provisional results putting it first in both Rabat-Ocean and Rabat-Chellah. In Ocean, Mehdi Bensaid had 7,386 votes, ahead of PJD on 5,868, with 68% counted in the tally shared with us.<\/p>\n Taroudant is a good warning against reading too much into the first numbers. An earlier count from Houara<\/strong> had PJD comfortably ahead there. A later tally had Istiqlal\u2019s Abdessamad Kayouh leading Taroudant Al Janoubia overall<\/strong>.<\/p>\n So for now the useful conclusion is fairly modest: PAM is showing early strength in Rabat, Istiqlal is competitive in Taroudant, and the parties are already selling national momentum.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n The interior ministry has now confirmed voting closed nationwide at 7 pm, with turnout finishing at 38.02%, <\/strong>\u00a0a hard number to build the analysis around, and one worth returning to.<\/p>\n The ministry said voting went smoothly across the country, with only a handful of isolated, limited exceptions, and that counting started immediately at polling stations in what it described as a positive atmosphere, with party and list representatives present to observe.<\/p>\n As the count moves through its first stage, several parties are already circulating their own internal tallies, with officials from a number of the major lists telling supporters and local media they\u2019re seeing strong numbers in their strongholds. These early claims are based on party observers\u2019 own counts at individual polling stations, not on any official tabulation, the interior ministry\u2019s central offices and the judge-led counting commissions haven\u2019t yet compiled or confirmed constituency results<\/p>\n15:26 | USFP chooses Lachgar, Aajab to continue government talks<\/b><\/strong><\/h4>\n
14:17 | El Mansouri reacts to PJD opting out of talks<\/strong><\/h4>\n
13:28 | Democratic and social movement ready to support new government<\/b><\/strong><\/h4>\n
12: 01|\u00a0<\/strong>Constitutional Union puts jobs, purchasing power at center of coalition talks<\/strong><\/h4>\n
11: 48| RNI\u00a0signals readiness to join Morocco\u2019s next government<\/strong><\/h4>\n
20: 30| PPS\u2019\u00a0Benabdellah says party\u2019s position will depend on shape of next government<\/strong><\/h4>\n
18: 50| PPS delegation meets PAM for government coalition talks<\/strong><\/h4>\n
18: 40| The Left Alliance calls coalition with PJD impossible<\/strong><\/h4>\n
17: 55| Lachgar says USFP-PAM talks on government coalition will remain confidential<\/strong><\/h4>\n
17: 35| RNI considers giving Chouki green light to continue government talks<\/strong><\/h4>\n
17: 07| USFP\u2019s Lachgar arrives at PAM headquarters for coalition talks<\/b><\/strong><\/h4>\n
16: 54| Ouzzine says PAM, PM hope for \u2018positive break\u2019 with previous phase<\/b><\/strong><\/h4>\n
16: 38| Senior RNI figures in Casablanca- Settat back joining PAM-led government<\/b><\/strong><\/h4>\n
15:35| Ouzzine arrives at PAM headquarters for coalition talks<\/strong><\/h4>\n
14:05| Benkirane says meeting with El Mansouri won\u2019t change PJD\u2019s stance<\/strong><\/h4>\n
13:44| Baraka says Istiqlal to discuss coalition this weekend<\/strong><\/h4>\n
13:10| PPS to join government coalition talks<\/strong><\/h4>\n
12:22| PAM begins coalition talks with Istiqlal<\/strong><\/h4>\n
12:05| Chouki says talks with El Mansouri were \u201cclear and frank\u201d<\/b><\/strong><\/h4>\n
11:24| RNI delegation arrives for government coalition talks<\/strong><\/h4>\n
11:05 | Coalition talks begin at PAM headquarters<\/strong><\/h4>\n
23:00 | \u00a0PAM reiterates \u2018royal confidence\u2019 put in El Mansouri, assures party cooperation across all spectrums\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\n
22:00 | \u00a0Head of Government of Government-elect prepares for consultations on Wednesday<\/strong><\/h4>\n
22:50 | The claims are getting national. The count still isn\u2019t.<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
21:51 | <\/strong><\/span> Turnout 38.02%<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n