Benkirane retains PJD leadership

Now that Morocco’s prime minister has secured another term as leader of the ruling party, expectations are high for him to deliver on his promises.

By Siham Ali for Magharebia in Rabat

The seventh PJD party congress, which was held July 14th-15th in Rabat, was watched by both the public and political observers. The stakes were high for Prime Minister Benkirane, who held onto his position as leader of the Islamist party, consolidating his position in government. Benkirane captured 85% of the votes cast, according to AFP.Abdelilah Benkirane won a second term as leader of the ruling Islamist Justice and Development Party (PJD) on Sunday (July 15th), bolstering his position as prime minister.

“Benkirane was not guaranteed to be re-elected as it is congress delegates who nominate candidates and vote for them with no prior guidance. Behind the scenes, however, it was hoped that he would win a landslide victory so that his position as prime minister would not be weakened,” political analyst Samir Jouadri told Magharebia.

Justice Minister Mustapha Ramid, a senior PJD official, said that since the PJD has won the public’s trust and has been in government for several months, it was the duty of those present at the congress to re-elect Benkirane.

“You don’t change a winning team, especially in this special context,” Ramid said.

Benkirane has said that the posts of secretary-general of the PJD and prime minister were equally important to him.

The party now needs to adapt even more to its new situation as leader of the governing coalition, according to Jouadri. So far, he said, high-profile departures of MPs from the party have jeopardised the coalition.

“We are determined to move forwards and continue with the reforms, even though there are people who don’t appreciate this enthusiasm,” Benkirane commented during the congress. At party meetings and in parliament, the prime minister has hit out at what he calls the “crocodiles” and “ghosts” who oppose the reforms.

These statements have drawn criticism from the opposition. Hakim Ben Chemmas, the leader of the parliamentary Party of Authenticity and Modernity in the Chamber of Councillors, said that Benkirane must erase words such as “crocodile” and “ghost” from his vocabulary and use clear language, as the public has a right to know what he is referring to.

Jouadri said that from now on, the PJD should eschew the “policy of victimisation and take action now that it is holding the reins of power, especially in a situation marked by a new constitution that gives the prime minister substantial prerogatives”.

“The public won’t tolerate failure by the government on the pretext that pockets of resistance are frustrating its work,” he said, adding that the government must address many challenging issues.

Several important tasks, such as the elimination of corruption and the rent-based economy, are under way. Another item on the agenda is the further development of Maghreb co-operation. On July 14th, Benkirane called for all parties to work together to build the Maghreb Union that people want.

The prime minister appealed to the Algerian government to open the border between Morocco and Algeria so that they can build a common future.

“It would be appropriate to follow the example of Europe, which has united to form a single area in which closed borders have no place,” Benkirane has stated.

.