A supporter of Morocco’s Justice and Development Party reacts after the party won 107 seats in the 395-seat legislature
An Islamic party is set to form a government in Morocco for the first time in the North African country’s history.
Nationwide election results released on Sunday showed a majority for the Islamic Justice and Development Party (PJD), with 107 of the parliament’s 395 seats.
It follows the King of Morocco bringing in urgent reforms after being threatened by mass protests during the Arab Spring.
Although the Islamic Justice and Development Party (PJD) is a moderate one, its success will concern those who believe that religious parties will weaken western influence in the region.
Al Qaeda has struck on a number of occasions in the country in recent years, including carrying out a bomb attack in the tourist city of Marrakesh in April which killed 17, including a British national.
Last month saw Tunisia — the country where the Arab Spring started — electing Ennahda, another moderate Islamic party.
Egypt is also set to hold elections on Monday, and they are also expected to be dominated by the Islamic party the Muslim Brotherhood.
Abdelilah Benkirane, the PJD leader who is now set to become Prime Minister of Morocco, said his party was not made up of Islamic fundamentalists looking to introduce Sharia Law.
‘We are not trying to set up a religious regime, or a Caliphate, as some suggest,’ he told French reporters.
‘This is absurd. We are in the year 2011. We want true democracy and a better life for Moroccans.’Benkirane added: ‘We thank Moroccans who voted for the PJD and we can only be satisfied.’ Following the election on Friday, results were known for 288 seats in the 395-seat parliament by Sunday morning.
The PJD had 88 seats, with the Istiqlal party, headed by outgoing prime minister Abbas Al Fassi, in second place with 45 seats.
King Mohammed VI introduced a new constitution in July which states that he must now appoint the prime minister from the party which wins the most seats.
In the past, the King could appoint whoever he wanted as Prime Minister.
Al Fassi said his nationalist Istiqlal party was ready to enter into a coalition with the PJD. ‘The PJD’s victory is a victory for democracy,’ he said.
The PJD has positioned itself as a party which focuses on the battle against corruption, the fight against widespread poverty and youth unemployement which reaches 30% nationawide.
There are some13.5 million registered voters in Morocco, which has a population of 35 million.
While near-neighbours including Tunisia, Egypt and Libya saw their despotic rulers deposed or murdered following the Arab Spring rebellions, Morocco has so-far avoided any serious disturbances beyond street protests.
A Jihadist was last month sentenced to death for the Marrakesh atrocity, with the King pledging full support to western countries like Britain and the USA in fighting terrorism.
