Istiqlal to maintain governing coalition in Moroccan Parliament

11/09/2007

[Getty Images] El Fassi

Abbas El Fassi, Secretary-General of Morocco's Istiqlal party, which took the largest number of seats in Friday's legislative elections, said Monday (September 10th) his party will maintain a governing coalition with the Socialist Union for Popular Forces (USFP-left), the Party of Progress and Socialism (PPS-left), the Popular Movement (MP–centre right) and the National Rally of Independents (RNI–centre). The parties were allied in the previous Parliament and hold 187 seats in the new lower house. Fassi rejected speculations that Istiqlal will form a coalition with the Justice and Development Party (PJD-right), the second largest party in parliament. If so, the PJD would remain in the opposition for another five-year term. King Mohammed VI will consult with the parties' leaders in the coming days before appointing a Prime Minister and cabinet.