PAM ministers absent from government council amid political tensions

Political tensions have escalated between the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) and the National Rally of Independents (RNI) in Morocco ahead of the September 23 legislative elections. During a recent government council meeting, several high-ranking PAM ministers were notably absent, including Younes Sekkouri, Fatima-Zahra Mansouri, Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, and Fouzi Lekjaa. This collective absence follows weeks of increasing rivalry and virulent accusations between the two majority coalition partners.

In addition to the internal government friction, PAM leadership has criticized the government's failure to implement proposals aimed at protecting citizen purchasing power during recent drought years. Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid stated that the party's suggestions were rejected by government partners, prompting the PAM to center purchasing power in its electoral program. The party has also raised concerns regarding potential conflicts of interest and illicit enrichment within the current legislature.