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| Popular Movement (Morocco) | |
|---|---|
| Name | Popular Movement |
| Native name | الحركة الشعبية |
| Leader | Mohand Laenser |
| Foundation | 1957 |
| Headquarters | Rabat |
| Country | Morocco |
Popular Movement (Morocco) is a Moroccan political party founded in 1957 associated with rural constituencies, Amazigh elites, and traditionalist currents. The party has participated in numerous cabinets, parliamentary coalitions, and provincial institutions across the reign of Mohammed V and Hassan II into the era of Mohammed VI. Its profile blends regionalism, monarchism, agrarian interests, and loyalty to the Alaouite dynasty, positioning it within Morocco's post-independence political landscape.
The formation of the party in 1957 followed Morocco's 1956 independence from French protectorate in Morocco and the political realignments involving figures linked to the Istiqlal Party, the Democratic Independence Party (Morocco), and tribal notables from the Atlas Mountains. Early leaders cultivated ties with the royal palace in Rabat and with notables from provinces such as Tafilalt, Souss, and Meknès. During the Years of Lead (Morocco), the party navigated pressures from security services associated with Mohamed Oufkir and Driss Basri while maintaining parliamentary representation in the House of Representatives (Morocco) and the House of Councillors (Morocco). In the 1990s and 2000s the party underwent organizational renewal under figures who competed with parties like the Istiqlal Party, the National Rally of Independents, and the Popular Democratic Manifesto. Leaders engaged with international actors including delegations to European Union institutions and parliamentary assemblies such as the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean. In the 2010s and 2020s the party continued coalition roles alongside the Justice and Development Party (Morocco), the Authenticity and Modernity Party, and the Socialist Union of Popular Forces.
The party articulates a platform encompassing Amazigh cultural recognition tied to the Royal Institute of the Amazigh Culture and rural development linked to programs by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (Morocco). Its stated positions emphasize fidelity to the Constitution of Morocco (2011), support for the Monarchy of Morocco, and advocacy for decentralization measures connected to the 2011 Moroccan constitutional referendum. Economic proposals have addressed subsidies, irrigation projects associated with the Office National de l'Eau Potable and agrarian reforms reminiscent of policies debated in the Green Morocco Plan. On social issues the party has engaged with debates involving the Family Code (Moudawana) reforms and with civil society groups such as Association Marocaine de Droits Humains and Amnesty International. Foreign policy stances have included support for Moroccan sovereignty claims in Western Sahara in line with positions advanced by the Royal Advisory Council for Saharan Affairs.
The party's internal architecture comprises a secretary-general, national council, regional branches in cities like Casablanca, Fès, Agadir, and Tangier, and youth and women wings that interact with institutions such as the Ministry of Youth and Sports (Morocco) and municipal councils in Marrakech. Historical secretaries-general have included personalities who competed for influence with political figures such as Abdellah Wazzani and Abderrahmane Youssoufi. The party maintains liaison offices with provincial caids and the High Commission for Planning (Morocco) for electoral mobilization. Leadership selection occurs at congresses where delegates from provinces such as Al Haouz and Azilal vote, and the party has sent delegations to international forums like the Centrist Democrat International and meetings with representatives from the African Union and the Arab League.
Electoral records show fluctuating results in elections for the House of Representatives (Morocco), municipal councils, and regional assemblies. In some legislative cycles the party joined government coalitions with the Istiqlal Party or the National Rally of Independents, winning ministerial portfolios in ministries such as the Ministry of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development and Waters and Forests. The party's vote share has been concentrated in rural provinces including Béni Mellal-Khénifra and Guelmim-Oued Noun, and it has outperformed urban-focused parties in constituency races in the High Atlas region. Comparative performance against parties like the Justice and Development Party (Morocco), the Authenticity and Modernity Party, and the Socialist Union of Popular Forces has shaped coalition bargaining and cabinet distribution following elections regulated under the Electoral law (Morocco).
The party has served as coalition partner in cabinets led by prime ministers such as Abbas El Fassi, Abdelilah Benkirane, and Saadeddine Othmani, holding ministerial portfolios related to rural affairs, equipment, and local administration. Its parliamentary groups have influenced committees in the Parliament of Morocco addressing legislation on territorial governance, agricultural subsidies, and cultural policy impacting institutions like the Royal College of Rabat and provincial councils. The party's engagement with the palace has allowed access to appointments to bodies such as the Conseil Economique, Social et Environnemental and roles in inter-party negotiation forums mediated by the Ministry of Interior (Morocco).
Critics have accused the party of clientelism tied to patronage networks in rural provinces and of reinforcing traditional hierarchies associated with qaidal structures rooted in the pre-independence era, drawing scrutiny from NGOs including Transparency International and activists connected to the February 20 Movement. Controversies have involved intra-party disputes over candidate lists ahead of municipal elections monitored by observers from the United Nations Development Programme and tensions with reformist parties such as Al Adl wal Ihsane regarding cultural and language policy for Amazigh recognition. Allegations of opportunistic coalition shifts have been raised during transitions between cabinets and after major events like the 2011 Moroccan constitutional referendum.
Category:Political parties in Morocco Category:1957 establishments in Morocco