Democratic and Social Movement (MDS) chief Abdessamad Archane offered his support to Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri on Thursday but coupled it with a pointed prescription for the government she is trying to form: move faster on reforms, tackle the cost of living and correct the “shortcomings” left by its predecessor.
Archane met El Mansouri at PAM headquarters as the designated Head of Government moved into the second day of consultations on assembling a majority following PAM’s Sept 23 election victory.
The MDS secretary-general, whose party was regarded as a critical supporter of the outgoing majority, said the next government had a backlog of economic and social business to deal with and would need “courageous decisions” to deliver the change sought by Moroccans.
He singled out the rising cost of living and called for the pace of reforms to be accelerated, while arguing that shortcomings in the outgoing government’s record would have to be addressed.
That leaves Archane in a familiar position: supportive of the government taking shape, but with criticism attached.
He was accompanied at the meeting by Mohamed Archane, an MDS founding member and member of the House of Councillors.
The MDS followed the Constitutional Union into PAM headquarters on Thursday. UC chief Mohamed Joudar had earlier put unemployment, prices, youth policy and preparations for the 2030 World Cup on the next government’s agenda without publicly committing his party to joining the majority.
The two meetings came after a busier opening round on Wednesday, when RNI, Istiqlal, the Popular Movement, USFP and PPS all sat down with El Mansouri. The talks have begun putting parties on record even as the composition of her eventual coalition remains unsettled.
One chair on Thursday’s original schedule, however, is unlikely to be filled.
PJD chief Abdelilah Benkirane has said his party will not go to PAM headquarters for its scheduled 5pm meeting with El Mansouri, objecting to the venue after initially accepting her request for talks. The larger political question is already settled on his side: the PJD’s National Council has chosen opposition, and Benkirane has ruled out participation in a PAM-led government.
With 97 seats in the 395-member House, PAM needs partners to reach the 198 required for an absolute majority. The largest numbers remain with the parties El Mansouri received first: RNI has 66 seats and Istiqlal 65. PAM, RNI and Istiqlal together would command 228 seats, reproducing the three-party combination that governed after the 2021 election, though with PAM rather than RNI at its head.
