Explosive Statements Reveal the Scope of the Electoral Crisis
In a press conference held this Monday in Rabat, the Secretary-General of the Party of Progress and Socialism (PPS) and opposition leader, Nabil Benabdallah, disclosed what he described as a “money tsunami” during the 2021 legislative elections, calling for comprehensive reform to ensure the integrity of the electoral process and restore trust between citizens and institutions.
Benabdallah described the speech by the Minister of Interior, Abdelouafi Laftit, delivered to party leaders following the Throne Speech, as an “unprecedented speech” and “advanced in clarity and frankness,” emphasizing the need to confront manifestations of electoral corruption and ensure the free expression of popular will.
Shocking Figures and a Genuine Trust Crisis
The PPS Secretary-General cited figures illustrating the magnitude of political participation crisis in Morocco: out of 28 million eligible voters, approximately 18 million do not participate in elections, including 9 million unregistered citizens and 9 million registered citizens who choose to abstain.
Benabdallah considered these figures as reflecting a real trust crisis, which can only be addressed through comprehensive political reform that restores the value of the electoral process and strengthens trust in institutions.
Electoral Reform: From Combating Political Money to Strengthening Competence
In his speech, Benabdallah stressed that elections are not merely a narrow partisan issue but a societal concern requiring the involvement of all civil, professional, and cultural forces, emphasizing the need to hold accountable anyone who violates integrity rules rather than generalizing deviations to all parties.
He called for the exclusion of anyone facing legal proceedings or suspected of corruption and opening the path for honest and competent individuals to provide a different image of politics, asserting that the real battle is a “daily democratic struggle,” requiring gradual reform and cumulative positive steps leading to strong and honest institutions.
Parliament and the Role of Parties: Restoring Trust in Institutions
The PPS Secretary-General stressed the importance of restoring Parliament as a space for oversight and legislation, noting that current practices have transformed it into an institution lacking credibility and legitimacy.
Benabdallah added that an effective partnership between the Ministry of Interior and political forces, both at regional and local levels, constitutes a guarantee for the success of upcoming elections and for building a renewed relationship between citizens and their institutions.
Moroccans Abroad: Political Participation and National Role
Nabil Benabdallah’s statements regarding Moroccans abroad go beyond mere partisan electoral proposals and reveal a dual strategy combining internal political and national/international dimensions. The party calls for enabling Moroccans residing abroad to vote in their local constituencies and directly choose their representatives, reflecting the recognition of this group’s importance as an influential electoral force capable of reinforcing or modifying upcoming election results.
At the same time, the Secretary-General links the participation of Moroccans abroad to the Moroccan Sahara issue, giving his statements a national and strategic dimension. This indicates that enhancing diaspora participation is not limited to gaining votes but also contributes to strengthening internal unity and presenting Morocco as a democratic state committed to involving all its citizens, domestically and abroad, in national decision-making.
Thus, Benabdallah sends multiple messages: first domestically, emphasizing that upcoming elections must be conducted with integrity and that Moroccans abroad will have an active role; second internationally, affirming that the party ensures the diaspora’s representation and interests in national policies, reflecting Morocco’s image on the international stage.
Overall, the party is not merely exploiting the diaspora for electoral gain but is using this dimension to assert its role as a defender of democracy and transparency and to emphasize the importance of citizen participation in strengthening national stability and institutional credibility.
Call for a New Political Contract and Gradual Reform
The Secretary-General also called for establishing a new political contract among parties, committing all actors to respect rules of integrity and transparency, and launching a new generation of political reforms equivalent to the New Development Model, stressing that democracy is not a slogan but a challenging process that can produce tangible results if there is a sincere will to combat corruption and promote fair competition.
Conclusion
Nabil Benabdallah’s statements reflect the magnitude of challenges facing Morocco’s electoral process and highlight the necessity for intervention by all actors, from oversight authorities to political parties and civil society, to ensure transparent elections that reflect citizens’ true will and restore confidence in democratic institutions.
