Aziz Akhannouch es reelegido como presidente de la Agrupación Nacional de los Independientes
The 7th Congress of the National Rally of Independents (RNI) took place last Saturday in Rabat, where Aziz Akhannouch's position as head of the political party was renewed. The candidate received 2549 votes in favour from all the congresses and it is a new attempt to boost the successes of this faction.
RNI leader Mohamed Ghiath says that "the seventh national conference took place in reassuring political and organisational conditions" as far as the future of the grouping is concerned. The new election brings with it the culmination of the party's work over the past five years, enabling it to make tangible progress.
In a speech, the president thanked his party members and said he was aware of the enormous responsibility that once again rests on his shoulders. Improving communication with citizens, working seriously and reporting transparently and honestly on his actions are some of the objectives of this new political stage.
Likewise, the tough global economic situation, the consequences of COVID-19 and the lack of rainfall are some of the challenges they will have to face. All of this without losing focus on the important comprehensive development project entrusted to them by King Mohammed VI.
Observers see the Moroccan politician's re-election as a special message to the party's opponents. This underlines the importance of combating disinformation campaigns aimed at discrediting the executive. The aim now is to demonstrate the strong cohesion within the RNI.
The opposition, for its part, describes the work done by the current government as insufficient. Abdelilah Benkirane, secretary general of the Justice and Development Party (PJD), believes that the major promises made have not been fulfilled and that "if the prime minister cannot do his duty and assume his responsibility, he should resign".
The National Rally of Independents sees these statements as an attempt to attract the attention of the media and public opinion. Akhannouch is clear about the opposing camp, calling them "electoral orphans" because of their defeat in the last legislative elections held in September last year.
The turnout was 50.3%, a total of 8.7 million citizens exercised their right and gave power to the centrist Liberal party. The RNI jumped from fourth to first place with 97 seats, followed by the Authenticity and Modernity Party and the Istiqlal Party with 82 and 78 seats respectively.
The PJD dropped from first to eighth place, winning only 12 seats out of 395 in the House of Representatives. Senior party officials denounced alleged electoral fraud and reported massive vote buying. The party's erosion and internal divisions led to the failure of a party that had been governing Morocco since 2011.
These elections were the first after the approval of an electoral reform that sought to eliminate the 3 per cent vote barrier in order to obtain more seats. The Alawi country considered them a key historical milestone on the road to democracy and the proper functioning of institutions.
