Efforts begin to form Morocco government
PJD is in government since 2011, when King Mohammad ceded some powers to ease ‘Arab Spring’ protests
Morocco’s new prime minister began efforts to form a government yesterday, a day after he was appointed by King Mohammad.
The king announced on Wednesday he would replace Abdullah Benkirane as prime minister with another member of the PJD in an effort to break a five-month postelection deadlock.
Sa’ad Al Deen Al Othmani of the Islamist Justice and Development Party (PJD) was foreign minister from 20122013 and had most recently served as the head of the PJD’s parliamentary group.
A psychiatrist by training and highly active on social media, Al Othmani is regarded as a close ally of Benkirane’s. It is not clear what difference his appointment makes to the PJD’s negotiating position on forming a government.
The PJD has led the government since 2011, when King Mohammad ceded some powers to ease “Arab Spring” protests. It increased its share of the vote in October elections, maintaining its position as the biggest party.
But it has met with resistance during political negotiations from parties that are perceived as being close to the palace.
Under Morocco’s election law no party can win an outright majority in the 395-seat parliament, making coalition governments necessary in a system where the king holds ultimate power.
The PJD was due to host a national council meeting yesterday to decide its next steps.
On Thursday it issued a statement in support of Benkirane.
“He is not responsible, in any way, for the delay in forming a government,” it said.