Morocco's ruling coalition is fracturing two weeks before the September 23 parliamentary election, as bitter feuds between the National Rally of Independents and the Authenticity and Modernity Party push a formerly unified government toward open warfare. At the center of the conflict stands Fouzi Lekjaa, the budget minister and football federation president whose move to PAM in July has set off a succession battle that could reshape Morocco's political order.

The official campaign begins September 10, but the fight has already turned personal. A leaked audio recording attributed to RNI leader Rachid Talbi Alami surfaced in late August, reportedly criticizing Lekjaa's PAM defection and accusing him of betrayal. The recording exposed tensions that had been simmering since King Mohammed VI appointed Lekjaa to his current cabinet role in 2021, placing him in a government dominated by the RNI but now setting him up as PAM's most prominent candidate.

Lekjaa enjoys unusual popularity in Morocco. As president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation since 2014, he oversaw the national team's historic run to the 2022 World Cup semifinals and its quarterfinal appearance in 2026. His dual role as budget minister—managing Morocco's fiscal policy during an inflationary period—has kept his name in headlines. Analysts say he is being positioned by PAM leadership as a credible candidate for head of government if the party wins a plurality.

Coalition Partners Turn on Each Other

The RNI and PAM have governed together since 2021, when RNI leader Aziz Akhannouch formed a coalition after his party won the most seats in that year's election. PAM, considered close to the royal palace, joined as a junior partner. But the alliance was always fragile. During the 2021 campaign, PAM accused the RNI of vote-buying, and rivalries between the two parties have festered beneath the surface throughout the current parliament.

Those rivalries broke into public view this summer over meat prices. The RNI and PAM have blamed each other for a policy that cut livestock import tariffs by nearly 13 billion dirhams but failed to lower consumer prices. Each side accuses the other of protecting political allies in the agriculture sector while ordinary Moroccans faced rising costs. The dispute quickly became a proxy for the broader power struggle ahead of the election.

Lekjaa's entry into the race escalated the conflict. His July announcement that he had officially joined PAM was seen as a direct challenge to the RNI's hold on government. Since then, PAM has organized mass recruitment events, including an August rally in Nador where 18 local officials publicly switched from other parties to PAM. The moves suggest PAM believes it can overtake the RNI as the largest party in parliament, which would give it the first shot at forming a coalition.

Palace Influence Looms Large

Moroccan politics operate within a framework where King Mohammed VI holds ultimate authority over foreign policy, security, and religious affairs. Political parties compete for parliamentary seats and the chance to nominate a head of government, but the king retains the power to reject candidates or dissolve parliament. That dynamic makes proximity to the palace a critical asset in Moroccan elections.

Both the RNI and PAM are considered palace-friendly parties, though observers say PAM has deeper institutional ties to the royal court. The party was founded by Fouad Ali El Himma, a close adviser to the king, and has historically benefited from tacit royal support. Lekjaa's move to PAM is widely interpreted as a signal that the palace may favor a shift away from Akhannouch's RNI-led government.

But the RNI is not conceding. Akhannouch remains a wealthy and influential figure with strong business ties and personal connections to the king. His government has navigated a difficult economic period marked by inflation, drought, and the global fallout from the Ukraine war and Iran conflict. While his approval ratings have dropped, the RNI enters the election with the advantages of incumbency and organizational strength.

What's at Stake

Morocco's parliamentary system gives the largest party the first opportunity to form a coalition. If the RNI wins a plurality, Akhannouch is likely to remain head of government. If PAM finishes first, Lekjaa becomes the frontrunner for the role, though the king would need to approve his nomination.

The election will determine control of the 395-seat House of Representatives. Polls are scarce, and Moroccan media operate under constraints that limit open criticism of the palace or major political figures. But campaign observers say voter sentiment has shifted since 2021, with frustration over cost-of-living issues and perceptions of corruption driving discontent with the current coalition.

The Islamist Justice and Development Party, which governed Morocco from 2011 to 2021, has been reduced to a minor force after its 2021 electoral collapse. That leaves the RNI and PAM as the two dominant players in a system where ideological differences are minimal and personal rivalries often matter more than policy.

Election Mechanics and Timeline

Candidate submissions opened August 31 and close September 8. The official campaign runs from September 10 to 22, with voting on September 23. Turnout in the 2021 election was just over 50 percent, and analysts expect similar or lower participation this year, reflecting widespread voter apathy.

Morocco's electoral system uses a mix of proportional representation and local constituencies. Women must hold at least 90 seats under a gender-quota system. The final results typically take several days to certify, after which coalition negotiations begin. Those talks can last weeks, and the king has the final say on whether a proposed government is acceptable.

For now, the RNI and PAM are locked in a battle for dominance. Whether Lekjaa's celebrity can translate into votes—and whether the palace's implicit backing will tip the scales—remains uncertain. But the September 23 vote will determine whether Morocco's government shifts hands, or whether Akhannouch holds on to power despite mounting public frustration.