Authenticity and Modernity Party wins most seats in Morocco's parliamentary election

Morocco's Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) has won the largest number of seats in the country's legislative election, according to official preliminary results announced on Thursday. The party finished ahead of its partners in the outgoing coalition government, the National Rally of Independents (RNI) and the Istiqlal party.

Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit announced the results during a news briefing, confirming the distribution of seats in the 395-seat parliament. The liberal-centrist PAM secured 97 seats, while the RNI took 66 seats and the Istiqlal Party obtained 65 seats.

The Islamist Justice and Development Party (PJD) experienced a significant rebound, securing 54 seats. This marks a notable increase from the 13 seats the party held following the previous election, a recovery bolstered by the return of its former prime minister, Abdelilah Benkirane. Meanwhile, leftist parties also secured representation, with the USFP taking 26 seats, the PPS winning 19, and the FGD obtaining 8.

PAM was established in 2008 by an advisor to the king. Since its inception, the party has positioned itself as a political counterweight to the Islamist PJD, advocating for social modernization and secular-leaning policies.

The close results of Wednesday's vote