Morocco’s Left Alliance Defends Decision to Abstain in Speaker Election

Morocco’s Left Alliance parliamentary group has restated that it chose not to vote in the October 13 meeting convened to select the speaker of the House of Representatives.

The comment comes amid ongoing debates about the balance of power between governing blocs and opposition forces in the Moroccan legislature.

Left Alliance explains its abstention

In a released statement, the eight‑member group said its decision aligned with the Left Alliance’s political line and its democratic, progressive values, which unite the Democratic Left Federation and the Unified Socialist Party.

It argued that abstaining reinforced its political independence and reflected its unwillingness to back short‑term arrangements that, in its view, diverge from its long‑term democratic goals and societal vision.

The alliance also said it refused to lend legitimacy to what it termed a “numerical dictatorship” that lacks genuine political mandate when imposing its candidates.

“Abstention is not a neutral position; it is an expression of political independence that rejects a forced choice between two projects, neither of which represents the horizon of democratic and progressive change for which the Moroccan people are struggling,” the statement said.

Vote outcome and parliamentary participation

The vote for the House speaker saw Ahmed Touizi of the Authenticity and Modernity Party secure 220 votes, while Idriss El Azami El Idrissi of the Justice and Development Party received 59 votes. A total of 369 legislators participated in the ballot.

Critique of procedural conduct

The Left Alliance also condemned what it described as the silencing of its right to raise a point of order by the interim chair overseeing the speaker election. It accused the chair of a democratic backslide, saying the body failed to treat the group’s blank ballots as abstentions in accordance with parliamentary rules, conventions and practice. According to the alliance, this handling imparted an extra, artificial legitimacy to the proceedings.

Representatives from the two constituent left‑wing parties reiterated their pledge to pursue an independent democratic opposition, to advocate for everyday citizens, to uphold freedom, dignity and social justice, and to support a legislature that is independent and effective in carrying out its legislative, oversight and accountability duties.