2011 Moroccan general election

none Morocco 2007 2016 25 November 2011 395 seats in the House of Representatives 198 45.50% ( 8.50pp) Justice and Development Party (Morocco) Abdelilah Benkirane 22.78 107 46 Istiqlal Party Abbas El Fassi 11.86 60 52 National Rally of Independents Salaheddine Mezouar 11.33 52 39 Authenticity and Modernity Party Mohamed Biadillah 11.05 47 new Socialist Union of Popular Forces Abdelwahed Radi 8.60 39 38 Popular Movement (Morocco) Mohand Laenser 7.47 32 41 Constitutional Union (Morocco) Mohamed Abied fr 5.80 23 27 PPS Nabil Benabdallah 5.68 18 17 FFD Thami Khiari 2.85 1 9 Labour Abdelkrim Benatiq fr 2.26 4 5 PED Ahmed Alami fr 2.30 2 5 Al-ʽAhd Najib Ouazzani fr 1.73 2 0 MDS Mahmoud Archane fr 1.71 2 9 Moroccan Greens Party fr Parti de la gauche verte (Maroc) Green Left Mohamed Fares 0.71 1 new Action Party Mohammed Drissi 0.31 1 0 PRE Chaquir Achahbar 2 4 Unity and Democracy Party fr Parti de l'unité et de la démocratie PUD Ahmed Fitri 1 new PLJS Miloud Moussaoui 1 0 2011 Moroccan General Election.svg Results per constituency, including Moroccan-occupied Western Sahara Prime Minister Abbas El Fassi Istiqlal Party Abdelilah Benkirane Justice and Development Party (Morocco) Early general elections were held in Morocco on 25 November 2011, brought forward from 2012 and then postponed from 7 October 2011. Public protests as part of the Arab Spring in February 2011 led King Mohammed VI to announce an early election, a process of constitutional reform granting new civil rights, and the relinquishing of some of his administrative powers. Following a referendum on 1 July 2011, the new constitution was ratified on 13 September. Of the House of Representatives's 395 seats, 305 were elected from party lists in 92 constituencies and the additional 90 seats were elected from a national list, with two thirds reserved for women and the remaining third reserved for men under the age of 40.Résultats définitifs des élections législatives du 25 novembre http://www.maroc.ma/PortailInst/Fr/Actualites/R%C3%A9partition+provisoire+de+si%C3%A8ges+par+partis.htm Moroccan national portal site 28 November 2011 25 January 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200125143422/http://www.maroc.ma/PortailInst/Fr/Actualites/R%C3%A9partition+provisoire+de+si%C3%A8ges+par+partis.htm dead 30 parties participated in the elections, 18 of which gained seats. The vast majority of seats was won by three political groups: the moderate Islamist Justice and Development Party (PJD); an eight-party "Coalition for Democracy" (led by the RNI) headed by Morocco's incumbent minister of finance Salaheddine Mezouar; and the Koutla ("Coalition") alliance of the incumbent prime minister Abbas El Fassi.Morocco votes in first election since reforms Daniel Silva https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hE-FKFhq2xSW041cOc1M_UCROLTg?docId=CNG.3195cbd80a97dd93afba44f43f750f6f.21 https://archive.today/20130103103958/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hE-FKFhq2xSW041cOc1M_UCROLTg?docId=CNG.3195cbd80a97dd93afba44f43f750f6f.21 dead January 3, 2013 AFP 25 November 2011 25 November 2011 Results of the election, in terms of numbers of seats won by each party, were announced on 27 November 2011. But no voting statistics of any kind were released then, or even by the end of 2011. This was in contrast with the 2007 elections, for which voting figures were released by the Interior Ministry. The official turnout was 45%, but some commentators suggested it was much lower.http://moorishwanderer.wordpress.com/2011/11/28/wrap-up-on-elections-challenges-ahead/ Wrap-up on Elections & Challenges Ahead 28 November 2011 The Justice and Development Party won 107 seats, giving it the largest parliamentary representation, although not a majority. According to the new constitution, this made its leader, Abdelillah Benkirane, prime minister. Background 2007 parliamentary elections 2007 Moroccan parliamentary election The 2007 parliamentary elections were the second of King Mohammed VI's reign. They were characterized by a relatively low turnout of 37%, 15 points down from that of 2002 (52%). The Socialist Union of Popular Forces (USFP) - the largest party in the outgoing government - unexpectedly lost 12 of its seats. The Istiqlal Party came first with 52 seats, ahead of the Justice and Development Party with 46, despite the latter coming first in terms of number of votes. A coalition of five parties (Istiqlal, Popular movement, National rally of independents, Party of Progress and Socialism and Socialist Union of Popular Forces) with a narrow combined majority in the House of Representatives formed a government headed by Abbas El Fassi, the Istiqlal president. Arab Spring and protest movement 2011–2012 Moroccan protests Following national protests held in early February 2011 in solidarity with the Egyptian revolution, a youth group (later known as the 20 February movement) and the Islamist organization Al Adl Wa Al Ihssane called for a day of protests.https://www.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-54646220110203 Morocco government plays down call for protests Reuters 3 February 2011 8 February 2011 Souhail Karamhttp://wsws.org/articles/2011/feb2011/moro-f03.shtml Moroccan government fears outbreak of mass protests Wsws.org 3 February 2011 8 February 2011 Among the demands of the organisers was that the constitutional role of the king should be "reduced to its natural size".Morocco: King's Power in Spotlight as Desperate Youth Prepare to Test Morocco's Claims to Liberalism: Mohammed VI is Outwardly Revered but Rage Against his Cronies' Greed is Growing https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/feb/18/morocco-demonstrations-test-regime?INTCMP=SRCH The Guardian London 19 February 2011 11 May 2011 Giles Tremlett On 20 February, several thousands of people participated in demonstrations across Morocco.http://www.jeuneafrique.com/Article/ARTJAWEB20110221162602/maroc-violences-mohammed-vi-reformele-bilan-des-manifestations-au-maroc-s-eleve-a-cinq-morts-et-128-blesses.html Le bilan des manifestations au Maroc s'élève à cinq morts et 128 blessés Jeuneafrique.com 9 February 2011 23 February 2011 On 26 February, a further protest was held in Casablanca.http://www.heraldsun.com.au/ipad/at-reform-rally-in-morocco/story-fn6s850w-1226012647707 Casablanca catches protest fever 27 February 2011 1 March 2011 Herald Sun (Melbourne, Australia) Further protests were held in Casablanca and Rabat on 20 March.https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iu2GgwAB5vFQmq-iZrp2ZsSD4W3Q?docId=CNG.30929bbed886ca3041584a88b0537905.d81 https://web.archive.org/web/20110323101653/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iu2GgwAB5vFQmq-iZrp2ZsSD4W3Q?docId=CNG.30929bbed886ca3041584a88b0537905.d81 dead March 23, 2011 "Thousands rally in call for Morocco reforms", AFP, 03-20-2011 20 March 2011 28 October 2011 On 9 March, King Mohammed announced that he would form a commission to work on constitutional revisions, which would make proposals to him by June, after which a referendum would be held on the draft constitution.Moroccan monarch pledges reform Al-Jazeera English http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/03/201139204839521962.html 9 March 2011 9 March 2011 2011 Constitutional reforms 2011 Moroccan constitutional referendum A committee representing various parties was tasked by the king to prepare the new constitution. A draft was published in early June 2011.Moroccos draft new constitution 27 June 2011 https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/opinon/2011/06/137_89703.html Korea Times 27 November 2011 A referendum for its adoption was conducted on 1 July 2011 and registered a record high participation rate with a 70% turnout; the reforms were passed with 98% approval.Morocco approves constitutional reforms http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/07/01/morocco.vote.reforms/index.html https://web.archive.org/web/20110702173420/http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/07/01/morocco.vote.reforms/index.html dead July 2, 2011 CNN 27 November 2011 24 August 2011 The protest movement however, previously called for a boycott of the referendum. Consequently, the date of the parliamentary election was brought forward from September 2012 to October 2011. The new constitution, entered into effect on 1 August 2011, created a number of new civil rights, including constitutional guarantees of freedom of expression, social equality for women, rights for speakers of minority languages and the independence of judges.BBC News, June 29, 2011, "Q&A: Morocco's referendum on reform" https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13964550 Changes to electoral and administrative law were also significant. The king rescinded his power to appoint prime ministers, obliging himself to appoint a member of the party winning the most seats in a parliamentary election.Article 47 of the 2011 Moroccan constitution The office of prime minister, in turn, was given additional powers to appoint senior civil servants and diplomats, in consultation with the king's ministerial council.Article 91 of the 2011 Moroccan constitutionArticle 49 of the 2011 Moroccan constitution The prime minister replaced the king as the head of government and chair of the government council, gaining the power to dissolve parliament.AFP Maroc: la réforme constitutionnelle préconise de limiter certains pouvoirs du roi http://www.leparisien.fr/flash-actualite-monde/maroc-la-reforme-constitutionnelle-preconise-de-limiter-certains-pouvoirs-du-roi-17-06-2011-1498052.php Parisien 24 August 2011 29 April 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140429161648/http://www.leparisien.fr/flash-actualite-monde/maroc-la-reforme-constitutionnelle-preconise-de-limiter-certains-pouvoirs-du-roi-17-06-2011-1498052.php dead The voting system was also changed so that the number of parliamentary seats decided on a constituency basis was increased from 295 to 305. Additional seats were reserved for election from national party lists, 60 consisting only of female candidates and 30 for male candidates under the age of 40. Election timetable After negotiations between the interior ministry, which oversees elections, and some 20 political parties, the government proposed that parliamentary elections should be moved to 11 November, with the possibility of shifting it due to its proximity to the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Adha.Morocco to host early parliamentary election http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/08/201181541738753674.html 15 August 2011 15 August 2011 In the end, the election was held on 25 November 2011. The electoral campaign took place from 12 to 24 November.Le Maroc fixe la date du début et de la fin de la campagne électorale Afriquinfos 2011-10-20 http://afriquinfos.com/articles/2011/10/20/brevesdafrique-189228.asp 2011-10-30 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120426005336/http://afriquinfos.com/articles/2011/10/20/brevesdafrique-189228.asp 2012-04-26 There were fears that a low voter turnout, already traditionally a problem, would be further exacerbated by a boycott call by the pro-reform February 20 movement and the Islamist organization Al Adl Wa Al Ihssane, who felt that the constitutional reforms were insufficient.Voting slow in Morocco's key democratic test Euronews http://www.euronews.net/2011/11/25/voting-slow-in-morocco-s-key-democratic-test/ 25 November 2011 25 November 2011 1 January 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120101115036/http://www.euronews.net/2011/11/25/voting-slow-in-morocco-s-key-democratic-test dead Electoral system The election follows the closed list proportional representation system (with a 6 percent threshold) using the largest remainder method. Voting is conducted through universal suffrage in secret ballots.فضاء المعلومات - الانتخابات التشريعية 2011 http://www.elections2011.gov.ma/espace_info.html# Moroccan Government 27 November 2011 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20111130053556/http://www.elections2011.gov.ma/espace_info.html 30 November 2011 There are two types of list, local and national. 305 seats are allocated for the local lists spread over 92 electoral districts, while the national list consists of 90 seats, putting the total number of deputies at 395 - 70 more than the last election. The national list consists of a 60 seats list reserved for women and another of 30 seats for candidates under 40. The list follows the same proportional representation system but on the level of the country. Eligibility All Moroccan citizens are eligible for voting if they are at least 18 years old and have their civil and political rights unrestrained by a court order. A person is eligible for candidacy if they fulfil the conditions set out in the law regulating parliament (law 27.11 articles 6 to 10), according to which the following are ineligible: People who are ineligible to voteLoi 11.27 (Articles 6 to 10) http://www.elections2011.gov.ma/fichiers/loi_11.27.pdf Moroccan Government 27 November 2011 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20111125105632/http://www.elections2011.gov.ma/fichiers/loi_11.27.pdf 25 November 2011 People who have acquired the Moroccan citizenship less than 5 years before the voting date. People who, on the voting date, are subjected to a national court sentence forbidding them from exercising political life. As long as the sentence is still into effect or not currently under appeal. People who, on the voting date, are either incarcerated or subjected to a suspended prison sentence, regardless of the duration. People who currently (or retired less than a year before the voting date) hold the following positions: Judges, provincial governors, Caids, Pashas, Khalifas, Moqadems, military, auxiliary forces, provincial directors of the ministry of the Interior, Inspectors of the ministry of the Interior, public financing inspectors, presidents of electoral districts, the general bailiff of the state, the regional bailiffs. People who previously held the positions mentioned above - in a region they are running in - but retired less than two years before the voting date. This condition additionally applies to police officers. People who currently (or retired less than a year before the voting date) hold the following positions (in the region they are running in): Directors of public institutions, CEOs of companies where the state holds more than 30% shares, presidents of provincial or regional ministerial bureaus. People who exercised a public function - in the region they are running in - that required them to carry a firearm during their work and have not retired more than a year before the voting date. Regardless of the nature, duration or remuneration of their mission. Campaign Participating parties A total of 30 parties proposed candidates in the electionCandidats par parti http://www.elections2011.gov.ma/Statistiques/Stat_Candidats_Par_Partis_Politiques.aspx Government of Morocco 27 November 2011 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20111130061611/http://www.elections2011.gov.ma/Statistiques/Stat_Candidats_Par_Partis_Politiques.aspx 30 November 2011 while three far-left parties - the communist "Talia", the Unified Socialist Party and the "Nahj Ad-Dimuqrati" - called for a boycott.December 2020 The Islamist organization Al Adl Wa Al Ihssane and the 20 February protest movement also called for a boycott.December 2020 Istiqlal was the only party that filled a list for every constituency. The Justice and Development Party and the Socialist Union of Popular Forces both fielded 393 candidates.Candidats par partis politiques http://www.elections2011.gov.ma/Statistiques/Stat_Candidats_Par_Partis_Politiques.aspx Government of Morocco 27 November 2011 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20111130061611/http://www.elections2011.gov.ma/Statistiques/Stat_Candidats_Par_Partis_Politiques.aspx 30 November 2011 Party number of candidates Istiqlal Party395 Justice and Development Party (PJD)393 Socialist Union of Popular Forces393 Party of Progress and Socialism (PPS)386 National Rally of Independents (RNI)381 Popular Movement377 Front of Democratic Forces365 Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM)365 Constitutional Union340 Democratic Oath Party (SD) 305 National Congress Party (PCNI)300 Labour Party (PT)297 Democratic and Social Movement (MDS)261 Environment and Sustained Development255 Socialist Party (PS)244 Moroccan Liberal Party (PLM)221 Moroccan Greens Party fr Parti de la gauche verte (Maroc) Green Left Party204 Social Centre Party (PCS)182 Party of Renewal and Equity (PRE) 162 Reform and Development Party (PRD)154 Action Party (PA)149 Party of Renaissance and Virtue (PRV)128 Unity and Democracy Party fr Parti de l'unité et de la démocratie (PUD)121 Moroccan Union for Democracy UMD117 National Democratic Party115 Citizens' Forces (PFC)110 Party of Hope (PE)103 Party of Liberty and Social Justice (PLJS)100 Democratic Society Party (Morocco) Democratic Society Party fr Parti de la société démocratique (Maroc) (PSD)72 Democratic Independence Party (PDI)58 Independents 6 Source: Major competing parties thumb|right|350px|The eight leaders of the coalition for democracy The main contestants in the election were three political formations : the moderate Islamist Justice and Development Party (PJD), headed by Salé's deputy Abdelillah Benkirane; the "Coalition for Democracy" which is an alliance headed by Morocco's current minister of finance Salaheddine Mezouar; and the Koutla alliance of the incumbent prime minister Abbas El Fassi The Coalition for Democracy was formed on 10 October 2011 and groups eight parties: the National Rally of Independents, the Popular Movement, the Constitutional Union, the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), the Labour Party, the Moroccan Greens Party fr Parti de la gauche verte (Maroc) Green Left Party, the Party of Renaissance and Virtue and the Socialist Party.Maroc : Formation d'une coalition de huit partis http://magharebia.com/cocoon/awi/xhtml1/fr/features/awi/features/2011/10/10/feature-03 Magharebia 26 November 2011 The Koutla groups three parties which are members of the 2007-2011 government; namely the Istiqlal Party, the Socialist Union of Popular Forces and the Party of Progress and Socialism. The Koutla alliance criticized the decision of two other member parties of the current government to join the Coalition for Democracy alliance with other parties of the opposition. Consequently, the leaders of the Koutla made implicit calls for the Justice and Development party to join their alliance.Au Maroc, Koutla et le PJD n'excluent pas une alliance http://magharebia.com/cocoon/awi/xhtml1/fr/features/awi/features/2011/11/13/feature-01 Magharebia 27 November 2011 thumb|right|350px|the three leaders of the Koutla (center) The below table lists the most prominent parties in the Moroccan political scene (bold indicates members of the 2007-2011 government): PartyIdeology2007 Seats Istiqlal PartyNationalism-Conservatism52 Justice and Development PartyIslamism (right-wing)46 Popular MovementConservative liberalism-Economic liberalism41 National Rally of IndependentsLiberalism39 Socialist Union of Popular ForcesSocial democracy38 Constitutional UnionConservatism-Economic liberalism27 Party of Progress and Socialism (PPS)Socialism17 Authenticity and Modernity Party*Conservatism-Economic liberalismx Al Ahd union (joint list)** Centre-right14 Front of Democratic ForcesSocialism9 Democratic and Social MovementSocialism9 PADS Union (joint list)*** Socialism6 Labour partyLabor rights-Socialism5 Environment and Development PartyGreen politics5 (*): Was formed after the 2007 elections. (**): Joint list of the National Democratic Party and Al Ahd (***): Joint list of the National Congress Party, the Democratic Socialist Vanguard Party and the Unified Socialist Party Results The spokesman of the ministry of the interior announced on the evening of Friday 25 November that the turnout in the election was 45%, up 8 points from that of 2007. By the time of the initial results on 26 November, covering 288 of the 395 seats being contested, it had become clear that the Justice and Development Party had secured a plurality. It had secured 80 seats by this stage, with Istiqlal having secured 45. News organizations speculated that the Justice and Development Party would govern in coalition with several left-wing political parties.NDTV, November 27, 2011, "New Moroccan govt faces stiff economic challenges" http://www.ndtv.com/article/world/new-moroccan-govt-faces-stiff-economic-challenges-153353&cp" Names of successful candidates were announced on 27 November 2011. The Justice and Development Party won a plurality of seats, making its leader, Abdelillah Benkirane, prime minister designate under the rules of the new constitution. "This is a clear victory," he said,"but we will need alliances in order to work together".Islamist PJD party wins Morocco poll https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-15902703 28 November 2011 BBC News 27 November 2011 File:House of Representatives of Morocco 2011.svg National Constituency Justice and Development Party 1080914 24 83 107 +61 Istiqlal Party 562720 13 47 60 +8 National Rally of Independents 537552 12 40 52 +13 Authenticity and Modernity Party 524386 12 35 47 New Socialist Union of Popular Forces 408108 9 30 39 +1 Popular Movement  354468 8 24 32 –9 Constitutional Union  275137 6 17 23 –4 Party of Progress and Socialism 269336 6 12 18 +1 Front of Democratic Forces 135161 0 1 1 –8 Environment and Development Party 109335 0 2 2 –3 Labour Party  107399 0 4 4 –1 Al-ʽAhd 82213 0 2 2 +2 Democratic and Social Movement  81324 0 2 2 –7 National Ittihadi Congress 56402 0 0 0 –6 Socialist Party  44278 0 0 0 –2 Moroccan Liberal Party 42313 0 0 0 0 Moroccan Greens Party fr Parti de la gauche verte (Maroc) Green Left Party 33841 0 1 1 +1 Social Centre Party 25550 0 0 0 0 Action Party  14916 0 1 1 +1 Party of Renewal and Equity 0 2 2 –2 Unity and Democracy Party fr Parti de l'unité et de la démocratie 0 1 1 New Party of Liberty and Social Justice 0 1 1 +1 Moroccan Union for Democracy 0 0 0 –2 Citizens' Forces 0 0 0 –1 Party of Renaissance and Virtue 0 0 0 –1 Reform and Development Party  0 0 0 0 National Democratic Party  0 0 0 0 Party of Hope 0 0 0 0 Democratic Society Party (Morocco) Democratic Society Party fr Parti de la société démocratique (Maroc) 0 0 0 New Democratic Independence Party 0 0 0 0 Independents 0 0 0 –5 +70 1361511 13420631 García, Atlas, Psephos By coalition Coalition Constituency List Total +/– Coalition for Democracy 121 38 159 +44 Koutla 89 28 117 +10 Justice and Development Party 83 24 107 +61 Others 12 0 12 –45 +70 Government formation The Justice and Development party is expected to ally with the Koutla and form a government that will be likely headed by Abdelillah Benkirane or Saadeddine Othmani, who are respectively the current and former party leaders.الديوان الملكي يستدعي بنكيران المرشح لرئاسة الحكومة الجديدة http://hespress.com/politique/42157.html Hespress 28 November 2011 Benkirane held talks with the King on the evening of 28 November, and declared that he is not going to announce an alliance before the prime minister is appointed. He has previously stated that he is open to an alliance with the Koutla and made positive signs towards it. After the announcement of the final results, some leaders of the Coalition for Democracy stated that they have no reason to still maintain the alliance.تحالف G8 يشرع في التفكك بعد إعلان نتائج الانتخابات 28 November 2011 http://hespress.com/politique/42203.html Hespress 28 November 2011 Mohand Laenser of the Popular Movement and representatives from the Constitutional Union said that they were discussing whether to stay or retract from the coalition. Salaheddine Mezouar of the National Rally of Independents, and Mohamed Cheikh Biadillah, leader of the Authenticity and Modernity Party, said that they choose not to participate in the upcoming government."البّام" يتموقع في المعارضة ويتشبث بـ"التحالف من أجل الديمقراطية" 27 November 2011 http://hespress.com/politique/42145.html Hespress 28 November 2011بنكيران يعد بتقليص عدد وزراء الحكومة المقبلة والاستوزار للأصلح 28 November 2011 http://hespress.com/politique/42190.html Hespress 28 November 2011 On Tuesday 29 November 2011, as expected, Abdelilah Benkirane was nominated by the king as the new prime minister.World Morocco's King Names Head of Islamist Party as New Prime Minister https://www.foxnews.com/world/moroccos-king-names-head-of-islamist-party-as-new-prime-minister FOX News 29 November 2011 29 November 2011 Soumia Benkhaldoun was appointed Minister Delegate to the Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Executive Training.Qui est Jamila Moussali, remplaçante de Soumia Benkhaldoun au gouvernement ? https://telquel.ma/2015/05/22/jamila-moussali-gouvernement-benkhaldoun_1448091?fbrefresh=6 Telquel.ma fr 2020-05-17 On 9 July 2013 Istiqlal's six ministers resigned from the cabinet over subsidy reforms.http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2013/07/20137991633558497.html Ministers to quit Moroccan coalition References External links Official website of the elections (Arabic) collapsed Category:2011–2012 Moroccan protests Morocco Category:Elections in Morocco General Category:Election and referendum articles with incomplete results