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| National Rally of Independents | |
|---|---|
| Name | National Rally of Independents |
| Native name | Rassemblement National des Indépendants |
| Founded | 1978 |
| Founder | Ahmed Osman |
| Leader | Aziz Akhannouch |
| Headquarters | Rabat |
| Ideology | Liberalism, Conservatism, Monarchism |
| Position | Centre-right |
| Country | Morocco |
National Rally of Independents is a Moroccan political party established in 1978 that has played a recurring role in parliamentary coalitions in Morocco since the late 20th century. The party was founded by a group of politicians linked to corporate and royal circles and has been associated with prominent figures such as Ahmed Osman and Aziz Akhannouch. It competes with parties like the Istiqlal Party, Justice and Development Party, Authenticity and Modernity Party and Socialist Union of Popular Forces for influence over cabinets in Rabat and regional councils in Casablanca, Marrakesh, Tangier and Fes.
The party emerged in the aftermath of political realignments following the reign of Hassan II and during the consolidation of party systems across North Africa. Its founder, Ahmed Osman, who previously served as Prime Minister and was connected to the Royal Cabinet of Morocco, gathered independents and technocrats from business circles such as the Confédération Générale des Entreprises du Maroc to form a centrist bloc. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s the party alternated between opposition and coalition roles, interacting with chief executives including Abbas El Fassi and Driss Jettou and negotiating portfolios in ministries associated with Ministry of Economy and Finance (Morocco) and Ministry of Industry, Trade and New Technologies (Morocco). The 2000s saw electoral competition with Islamist and reformist movements exemplified by the rise of the Justice and Development Party (Morocco), while the 2010s brought renewed prominence when businessmen-politician Aziz Akhannouch steered the party into major executive positions following the 2021 parliamentary elections and subsequent cabinet formation under King Mohammed VI.
The party presents a program blending market-oriented liberal economic policies, social conservatism linked to Moroccan cultural traditions, and loyalty to the monarchy, echoing positions found in parties such as Forces Démocratiques et Sociales and Union Constitutionnelle. Its platform emphasizes investment promotion, private sector development tied to institutions like the Agence Marocaine de Développement des Investissements, and reforms in sectors overseen by Ministry of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development and Water and Forests (Morocco), Ministry of Tourism, Handicrafts, Transport and Social Economy (Morocco), and Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development. The party's stance on regional autonomy echoes frameworks discussed in the context of the Autonomy Plan for Western Sahara and engages with issues debated by panels including the House of Representatives (Morocco) and the House of Councillors (Morocco).
Organizationally, the party maintains a central committee, regional federations across administrative regions such as Rabat-Salé-Kénitra, Marrakesh-Safi, and Souss-Massa, and local branches active in municipalities like Agadir and Oujda. Leadership has included technocrats and businessmen linked to institutions like the Confédération Générale des Entreprises du Maroc and alumni of universities such as Mohammed V University and Al Akhawayn University. Key leaders such as Aziz Akhannouch have combined corporate roles in conglomerates with ministerial positions, creating overlap with state-owned companies and corporate boards related to sectors like phosphate mining dominated by actors akin to Office Chérifien des Phosphates.
Electoral contests since the party's founding have seen varied results in legislative elections, municipal ballots, and regional council votes. It has competed in elections organized by the Ministry of Interior (Morocco) and overseen by electoral laws debated in the Parliament of Morocco, often forming pre-electoral pacts with parties like Istiqlal Party or National Democratic Party depending on coalition math. Notable cycles include the 2007, 2011, 2016 and 2021 legislative elections where the party's seat share fluctuated alongside the fortunes of Justice and Development Party (Morocco) and Authenticity and Modernity Party. Its municipal performance in cities such as Casablanca and Tétouan has been central to its local governance strategy.
The party has frequently participated in coalition governments, supplying ministers for portfolios in cabinets led by prime ministers including Abdelilah Benkirane and Saadeddine Othmani, and latterly forming a leading role in cabinets under the aegis of Aziz Akhannouch after 2021. Ministries held by party members have included those responsible for Agriculture, Fisheries, Industry and Energy, interfacing with state agencies such as Office National des Chemins de Fer and development projects linked to the Plan Maroc Vert and national strategies aligned with the African Continental Free Trade Area.
The party has faced scrutiny over perceived links between political officeholders and private business interests, prompting debates in outlets and forums resembling the National Council of Human Rights (Morocco) and coverage by media such as Le Matin and Al Ahdath Al Maghribia. Critics point to potential conflicts of interest involving corporate ties of leaders, procurement decisions involving state-owned enterprises, and transparency concerns under laws administered by the Court of Auditors (Morocco). Allegations have sometimes intersected with broader national debates about corruption addressed in investigations by institutions comparable to the Parliamentary Committee on Governance and civic groups like Transparency Maroc.
Internationally, the party engages with counterparts in Europe and Africa, participating in forums linked to parliamentary diplomacy with delegations to bodies like the African Union and bilateral talks with parties such as French centre-right parties, Spanish counterparts, and conservative groupings in the Arab League. It has interacted with international financial institutions including the World Bank and International Monetary Fund in policy discussions, and seeks partnerships in trade negotiations tied to agreements with the European Union and regional initiatives involving the Arab Maghreb Union.