Moroccan monarch consults with election winners, PJD considers its role

14/09/2007

[File] Othmani

Morocco’s King Mohammed VI held meetings on Thursday (September 13th) with the leaders of the six political parties that won more than 20 seats in the September 7th parliamentary elections. The consultations concerned the appointment of the next Prime Minister and included the leaders of Istiqlal, the Islamist Justice and Development Party (PJD), the Popular Movement, the National Rally of Independents, the Socialist Union of Popular Forces and the Constitutional Union.

PJD Secretary-General Saâdeddine Othmani told reporters after the meeting that his party will await the appointment of the next Prime Minister to make a decision on whether or not to participate in the cabinet. Although Othmani said the meeting with the King took place in a "positive atmosphere", he said the party's choice between joining the government or remaining in the opposition would depend on "the invitation that will be extended to the PJD". Istiqlal, which won the most seats, indicated earlier that it may not invite the PJD to join the ruling coalition.