PPS’s Central Committee on Tuesday unanimously gave the party’s Political Bureau a free hand to decide whether to join the next government, after a debate that saw a sizeable current argue for ending the party’s spell in opposition.
The decision puts the final call in the hands of the Political Bureau led by Secretary-General Mohammed Nabil Benabdallah, who resumed government talks with Head of Government-designate Fatima Zahra El Mansouri on Monday.
Around 40 members spoke during the extraordinary Central Committee meeting in Rabat, with opinion divided over whether PPS should remain in opposition or seek a place in the new majority.
Among those pressing for a return to government were Rachid Hamouni, former head of the PPS parliamentary group and re-elected MP for Boulemane, and Political Bureau member Said Fekkak.
Their case was not for participation at any price. They called for prior agreement on a joint social program, arguing that PPS should “leave the opposition benches and defend citizens’ vital interests from within the executive branch.”
The Central Committee attached similar strings to any eventual deal. It said participation would require a clear political framework and program, giving PPS room to pursue its priorities in government, including the cost of living and inflation, youth and employment, and democratic reform.
Benabdallah gave members an upbeat account of his talks with El Mansouri, saying the discussions had shown “a high degree of responsiveness and a deep alignment” over the challenges facing the country.
PPS, he said, would need “clear commitments and real guarantees” capable of meeting Moroccans’ expectations before taking that step.
The debate came after Benabdallah opened El Mansouri’s second round of government-formation talks on Monday morning. The PPS chief had also met her during the first round of consultations following her appointment.
Before turning to the government question on Tuesday, Benabdallah delivered a sharp indictment of the outgoing administration’s record.
He blamed the previous government for turnout falling to 38.2 percent in the Sept 23 legislative election, the lowest since the 2011 Constitution, and alleged widespread vote-buying. He also questioned delays by the administration in announcing the results.
El Mansouri is considering a coalition bringing PAM together with the three Koutla parties—Istiqlal, USFP, and PPS—according to informed sources.
The four parties hold 207 seats between them, nine above the 198 needed for an absolute majority in the House of Representatives.
Istiqlal has already mandated secretary-general Nizar Baraka to negotiate participation, while USFP has authorized First Secretary Driss Lachgar and Mustapha Ajjab to pursue talks on the basis of a common program and shared political principles.
