Morocco's democracy 'at stake'
2007-08-23 15:25
Rabat - The expected strong showing by moderate Islamists in the upcoming polls will test the already narrow path of Morocco's nascent democracy, say analysts.
Morocco's secular establishment saw strengthening moderate Islamists as a religious bulwark against the rise of radical Islamists and al-Qaeda's North African wing jihadists, who had vowed to step up attacks against "infidels" and their allies.
Justice and Development Party (PJD), the main opposition in the 325-member parliament with 42 seats, was widely expected to make gains in the September 07 parliamentary elections, but in doing so it would create a dilemma for the elite that had ruled Morocco for more than 50 years.
If PJD joined the next government, they feared disgruntled youth, suffering higher unemployment and mass poverty, would see radical Islamists as their only refuge.
Elections 'will not change much'
If PJD was left outside the government, while outperforming most of the more than 30 parties competing in the polls, it would cast a shadow on Morocco's young democracy.
Mohamed Darif, a leading analyst of Islamist movements in North Africa, said: "The two scenarios about whether to let PJD enter the government or be left outside are on the table of the policy-makers.
"Each scenario has its backers within the palace."
The upcoming elections - whoever wins whatever share of the vote - will not change much in the core structure of Morocco's monarchy.
The king wielded the keys of power as army commander in chief as well as Amir al Mouminine (commander of the faithful), to naming the prime minister and vetoing laws.
Morocco 'wants to end corruption'
Analysts said the elections were designed mainly as an exercise to energise the political process and renew parts of the ruling elite body.
But some said a strong PJD performance could shake up politics and gave the Rabat parliament a more independent voice.
Democracy Reporting International, a German government-funded democracy advocacy group, said: "At this stage, neither the programme nor the political practices by PJD herald direct confrontation with the royal power.
"Nevertheless, PJD's rise as a more decisive political force would indeed lead to more direct exposure of the political role of the king."
Morocco was keen to advance democracy as a way to compete on the world stage as the most open country in North Africa to win foreign investment and prestige, said analysts.
It also wanted to end deeply-entrenched corruption and abuse of power, which were seen as the main obstacles to fighting the poverty that affected about 40% of its 30 million people.
Analysts and government insiders said authorities accepted the PJD as legal party in the 1990s to counter the rise of radical Islamists like Al Adl wal Ihsane.