Morocco’s PJD Seeks Reinvention After Historic 2021 Electoral Collapse

Morocco’s Justice and Development Party (PJD) is launching a major political comeback bid, aiming to reverse a dramatic electoral collapse that saw it drop from 125 parliamentary seats to just 13 in September 2021. The party, which rose to prominence following the 2011 Arab Spring protests and won the subsequent election with 107 seats, is now attempting to reconnect with voters through internal reorganization and a comprehensive new program.

The 2021 defeat marked the end of a decade during which the PJD was the primary beneficiary of Morocco’s post-2011 constitutional reforms. While those changes expanded the powers of Parliament and the prime minister, the monarchy retained control over strategic state policy through the Council of Ministers. Abdelilah Benkirane, who served as head of government from 2011 to 2017, is now returning to lead the party as it seeks to rebuild its base.

Analysts suggest that Benkirane’s return is central to the party’s strategy. A recent Al Jazeera Studies analysis describes him as a political “brand” whose extensive media presence and direct communication style provide significant electoral capital. However, the party faces the challenge of converting attention generated by its leader into tangible support for the organization itself after losing more than 90 percent of its parliamentary representation.

To address this, the PJD has unveiled a 2026 program comprising 467 measures across five key areas: identity and family, political and institutional reform, public services and social protection, the economy and employment, and foreign policy. The platform emphasizes practical concerns such as cost of living, job creation, healthcare, education, and fighting corruption.

Saad al-Sabahi, a member of the party’s regional secretariat in Casablanca-Settat, stated that the program was developed through extensive consultations and an online platform. “These commitments cover a range of sectors and areas affecting the lives of the Moroccan people,” al-Sabahi told Al Jazeera, adding that the party aims to restore citizens’ dignity and rights.

In the wake of the 2021 loss, the PJD has conducted a critical self-assessment. Al-Sabahi noted that the party overcame its crisis through extraordinary congresses and the renewal of its internal structures. The party has also pointed to allegations of electoral corruption and disinformation by unnamed actors as factors in its defeat, while acknowledging that its time in government had distanced it from segments of its former support base.

Engaging younger voters is a particular priority. Imane Traifi, a member of the PJD Youth, argued that the party must create sustained opportunities for young people to participate in political life rather than treating them merely as campaign voters. Yassine Elachiri, a member of the National Bureau of PJD Youth, emphasized that trust must be built through long-term engagement, training, and active participation.

A significant test for the PJD’s future governance will be its ability to navigate powerful entrenched interests. Benkirane frequently referenced “ghosts and crocodiles”—metaphors for hidden forces that he claimed obstructed his government. This was evident in the party’s opposition to Morocco’s 2020 normalization of ties with Israel, a decision made by the monarchy despite PJD objections. Diplomatic relations have since been elevated to embassy level, a move the PJD continues to oppose.

The party maintains that it seeks change within Morocco’s existing constitutional framework, respecting the monarchy’s central role in strategic decisions. For the PJD, recovery means demonstrating that it has learned from its past tenure and can deliver results while avoiding the political costs that led to its 2021 collapse.