Morocco\u2019s ruling moderate Islamist party won most seats in Friday\u2019s parliamentary election, with a rival party that critics say is too close to the palace coming second in a tight race with 90 percent of votes counted, officials said on Saturday.
\nElections for the House of Representatives were a test of Morocco\u2019s constitutional monarchy five years after the king devolved some limited powers to elected government to ease protests for democratic change in the kingdom.
\nThe governing Justice and Development Party (PJD) won 99 seats while the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) party had 80 seats, and the conservative Istiqlal party took 31 seats, according to the results announced by the interior minister.
\nUnder Morocco\u2019s system no party can win an outright majority in the vote for the 395-seat parliament and the winner must form a coalition government. The king, who still retains most executive power, chooses a premier from the winning party.
\nThe tight race will make coalition-building tough for the PJD even if they win the election. With PAM scoring high, the Islamists potentially need to partner with at least three other parties to secure a parliamentary majority.
\nThe minister said counting for another 90 seats set aside for women and youth lawmakers was still ongoing.
\nPrime Minister Abdelilah Benkirane\u2019s PJD won the 2011 election, and he was appointed premier by the king. In five years he has pushed economic reforms to reduce the deficit and tackle subsidies. PJD has been popular for its anti-corruption message.
\n\u201cThe Moroccan people voted for PJD massively,\u201d Benkirane told reporters. \u201cThe PJD has proven today that being serious and truthful … and being faithful to the institutions, especially the monarchy, is a winning currency.\u201d
\nPJD\u2019s main rival, PAM, founded by a close friend of the king who is now a palace adviser, had presented itself as a liberal alternative to Islamists.
\nThe PJD is one of the only remaining Islamist parties leading a government after the Arab Springrevolts toppled long-standing leaders in Libya, Egypt and Tunisia and brought Islamist parties to political power.
\nBut Morocco\u2019s main Islamist opposition group, Justice and Spirituality, and left-wing organizations, have boycotted elections in protest over the king\u2019s tight grip on power.
\nCampaigning was marked by accusations that the royal establishment, uneasy about sharing power with Islamists, was unfairly backing PAM as a way to roll back PJD influence. Palace officials denied any favoritism.
\nHours before polls closed on Friday, the PJD accused local officials under the control of the Interior Ministry of trying to influence voters. The ministry has dismissed some claims and said it would investigate others.
\nThe North African kingdom presents itself as a model for economic stability and gradual reform in a region where violence and instability are more the norm. Morocco\u2019s moderate Islamists have been symbols of co-existence rather than rebellion.<\/p>\n
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