Rachid Talbi Alami audio leak sparks Moroccan political controversy

A leaked audio recording attributed to Rachid Talbi Alami, President of the Moroccan House of Representatives and a leader in the National Rally of Independents (RNI), has sparked significant political controversy in Morocco. The recording, which reportedly originated from a political bureau meeting, surfaced less than a month before the 2026 legislative elections.

In the recording, Talbi Alami directs sharp criticism toward Fouzi Lekjaa, the Minister of Budget and President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, who recently joined the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM). Talbi Alami accuses Lekjaa of using methods of “intimidation and inducement” to recruit candidates from the RNI for the upcoming elections. The leaked remarks include a comparison of Lekjaa to a messianic figure and a warning that he could be barred from holding the Finance Ministry in a government led by the RNI.

The incident has highlighted internal tensions within the current governing coalition, raising questions about the boundaries between government alliance and electoral competition. Political observers note that the leak underscores a struggle over the recruitment of elected officials and candidates as parties mobilize ahead of the September 23 elections.