Moroccan political parties ally to gain local control

2009-06-18

Negotiations between Morocco's political parties are in full swing, as leaders push to form coalitions at the local level. The outcome of these negotiations will determine the mayors and city councils of the nation's major cities.

By Siham Ali for Magharebia in Rabat – 18/06/09

[Getty Images] Since single-party majorities are unlikely in Morocco, elected officials have to organise into blocs, even at the local level.

Negotiations over the chairmanship of the major municipal councils began immediately after the results in the June 12th local elections were announced. The winning parties are seeking control of city councils in Rabat, Salé, Casablanca, Tangier, Marrakesh and Fez.

Many experts and party members believe alliances are necessary since the Moroccan electoral list system tends to prevent the emergence of outright majorities.

Fouad Madani, a professor of political science, said that experience shows alliances to be unpredictable at the local level. "We've already seen a rapprochement between parties across the political spectrum, from both the ruling majority and opposition," he said.

"Certain strategic allies, such as the USFP and Istiqlal, failed to agree in 2003 on the chairmanship of the Rabat and Salé city councils," he concluded, adding that surprises are always possible.

Party leaders say that elected representatives have the power to choose their alliance partners at the local level.

Mohamed Cheikh Biadilah, leader of the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), said that his party's representatives were instructed to seek clear alliances now that they have joined the opposition. "Each case will be decided on its own merits", he stated.

The Popular Movement (MP) also plans to allow its representatives to choose their own alliances.

"We have left it up to our elected members to determine the nature of their coalitions. Nothing is set in stone for the time being," said MP deputy chief Mohamed Fadili.

The former mayors of Rabat, Salé, Casablanca, Fez and Marrakesh are seeking re-election, but some may be ousted by newly-formed alliances.

In Rabat, for instance, a coalition consisting of the PJD, Istiqlal, USFP, PPS, RNI and FFD was formed on Sunday (June 14th) to form a majority, while the Popular Movement, which won the most seats, is not part of the coalition. The former mayor's chances of returning to office are therefore slim.

The party is in a similar position in Salé, where it is currently the largest party. A six-cornered alliance could prevent it from running the city council.

In Tangier, the RNI and PJD came out on top, while the former mayor representing the USFP, Dahmane Derhem, failed to retain his post. The two parties will now have to negotiate on who will lead the city council.

In Marrakesh, the former Constitutional Union mayor, Omar Jazouli, risks losing his post even though his party came first, due to negotiations launched by the PAM in the city.

In Casablanca, where the PJD won the largest number of seats, the former mayor representing the Constitutional Union, which came second, is still hoping to hold onto his job if he can seal an alliance with the PJD.

In Fez, Istiqlal is assured of the return of its mayor, Hamid Chabat, since it won a majority by taking 52 seats on the city council out of a total of 97. The PJD, which came second, won just 19 seats.

Interior Minister Chakib Benmoussa said Saturday when the results were announced that he hoped the future councils would be led by clear majorities capable of running local affairs. He added that elected representatives now have an important duty to choose people who have the necessary abilities to run councils.

"The second stage in the creation of local councils will be decisive, since it will determine the groups that will run the real and daily affairs of citizens," Benmoussa commented.

Town halls are primarily concerned with running local affairs. They take decisions regarding the introduction and running of many services, such as the provision and distribution of drinking-water, the supply of electricity, water purification, transport, cleaning services, street lighting, traffic, haulage, and signage on public roads.