Why Morocco’s Opposition Failed to Oust the Government: Crisis of Trust and Miscalculation
The Collapse of the No-Confidence Motion Exposes Deep Divisions, Strategic Errors, and Missed Political Timing
Watan-The failure of Morocco’s opposition to file a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch’s government has sparked intense political analysis, not due to legal or political constraints, but because the conditions were ripe—and yet, the effort collapsed.
The Socialist Union unilaterally withdrew from coordination with other opposition factions, particularly targeting the Justice and Development Party (PJD), accusing it of sabotaging the motion by focusing on procedural issues rather than substance.
Other opposition parties—such as the Progress and Socialism Party and the Popular Movement—were caught off guard, as the only unresolved issue was which party would formally present the motion in Parliament. While discussions were ongoing to resolve this, the Socialist Union abruptly ended talks, citing past frictions and political mistrust stemming from events as far back as the 2016 government formation.
Mistrust and Accusations of Betrayal Undermine Morocco’s Opposition Unity
Tensions reignited when PJD leader Abdelilah Benkirane and parliamentary head Abdellah Bouanou accused the Socialist Union of potential bribery or coercion by the government, alleging the Prime Minister may have offered political or financial incentives to kill the initiative.
Despite these accusations, both sides had been working—however cautiously—towards coordination. But mutual mistrust and political history between party leaders, notably Idriss Lachgar’s 2016 maneuvering against Benkirane, ultimately derailed the effort.
Though some in the opposition claimed the motion was never realistic, the Progress and Socialism Party’s Secretary General Nabil Benabdallah called the failure a lost opportunity to hold the government accountable for its growing dysfunction, clientelism, and perceived abuse of public office.
Government Survives as Divided Opposition Misses Chance Before Elections
The government has survived not because of political strength or cohesion—it remains plagued by internal conflicts and accusations of corruption—but because the opposition collapsed under its own divisions and poor strategic judgment, particularly with elections months away.
Benkirane’s statement that “the government has already fallen—politically and in the eyes of the people—so a no-confidence motion was unnecessary” has been criticized as politically naive or a deflection from the opposition’s failure.
Ultimately, Morocco’s government escaped collapse not due to strength, but because the opposition was unprepared, divided, and mistimed. The failure reflects a deep crisis within the opposition, and a missed chance to reshape the political landscape before the crucial elections ahead.
