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| Africa North |
| PAM party victory stuns Moroccan political establishment |
| 2009-06-20 |
| [Maghrebia] The victory of the newly created Authenticity and Modernity (PAM) party in the June 12th local elections continues to make waves in Morocco, drawing a mixture of reactions ranging from surprise to indignation. While the PAM's leadership attributed their victory to views and methods that were attractive to voters, more established political parties accused the authorities of pulling the strings of the party, which was founded in June 2008 by a childhood friend of the King. "This party used any means at its disposal to earn its position, starting with the number of its candidates. It fielded candidates who have no political scruples whatsoever," Ismail Alaoui, secretary-general of the Party of Progress and Socialism (PPS) said. Alaoui believes it unlikely that the PAM will have any major impact on the political arena and has likened it to "the Constitutional Union (CU) when it was first formed and the National Rally of Independents (RNI) of the 1970s". The Socialist Union of People's Forces (USFP) also cast doubt on the PAM's success. Hassan Tarik, who works at the party's headquarters, said that the PAM, which was founded by the ruling élite, will not fool the Moroccan public. Driss Lachguer, who also works at the USFP's central office, agreed, arguing that it is illogical for a newly created party to come first ahead of the other parties. Political science professor Mohamed Kanzidi said that it was too early to judge the true position of the PAM, noting that it fared particularly well in rural areas, while the Justice and Development Party (PJD) won in the cities. He also noted that it had won over several members with election experience. Responding to a question on the reasons for PAM's victory, Interior Minister Chakib Benmoussa pointed to the composition of the party, which has candidates who took part in the 2003 election and won 10% of the vote and 9% of seats. "It was also the largest party in terms of the number of candidates it fielded," Benmoussa said on June 13th. The PAM's central office played down the criticisms levelled at it. The party's secretary-general, Mohamed Cheikh Biadilah, said that it was the failure of the other parties that has driven them to react in this way towards his party. "It's a cultural thing. Moroccans always tend to pin the blame on others instead of taking responsibility themselves," he said at a press conference held on Wednesday 17 June to announce the party's achievements. The PAM leader said that his party's views won voters over because they focused on the future. He also attributed the victory to party policies that targeted the local needs of each region. Meanwhile, some politicians saw the PAM victory as a breath of fresh air. Popular Movement MP Fatima Mustaghfir said that the PAM took on a test and passed it with flying colours after the disappointment of the partial elections. "Moroccans are hoping for change. The PAM's win is a message from voters to the parties", she said. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #2 Excuse me whilst I rinse my mind's eye with bleach. |
| Posted by: Pappy 2009-06-20 15:03 |
| #1 is a PAM party like a Crisco party? |
| Posted by: Frank G 2009-06-20 09:43 |