Rabat, Morocco — As Morocco gears up for parliamentary elections on September 23, the spotlight has shifted from traditional party ideologies to the political aspirations of Fouzi Lekjaa, the nation’s minister delegate for the budget and president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF). Lekjaa’s decision to join the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) has sparked a heated debate, reflecting a broader shift in Moroccan politics where managerial competence and state-led development are gaining prominence as sources of political legitimacy. Lekjaa’s rise to prominence is largely attributed to his role in transforming Moroccan football.
His leadership has been pivotal in the nation’s surge in the sport, marked by significant investment in infrastructure and youth development. This has propelled Morocco to become a leading force in world football, culminating in the nation’s historic achievement of reaching the World Cup semi-finals and its upcoming hosting of the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
The timing of Lekjaa’s political move is also crucial. With the next government set to oversee Morocco’s preparations for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted with Spain and Portugal, the focus is on the ability to deliver the tournament and its potential economic and infrastructural benefits. Mustafa Ahdar, a researcher in constitutional law and political science at Ibn Zohr University in Agadir, observes that Lekjaa’s decision to join PAM, a party part of the current governing coalition, is politically significant.
Political parties are supposed to create spaces where citizens become politically engaged and future leaders emerge, Ahdar explains. “When parties increasingly recruit influential personalities who have built their popularity outside politics, they risk abandoning that mission. “Morocco’s political evolution also reflects changing voter behavior.
Turnout exceeded 50 percent in the 2021 parliamentary elections, yet nearly half of eligible voters still abstained. Many analysts argue that this reflects scepticism towards political parties rather than a lack of political interest, particularly among younger Moroccans who increasingly express their concerns through social media activism and protests over unemployment, rising living costs, and public services. Speculation that Lekjaa could become Morocco’s next Prime Minister is a testament to his successful tenure in transforming the nation’s football landscape and his growing influence in Moroccan politics.
However, whether his political aspirations will materialize remains to be seen, as the country navigates its political future amidst a complex mix of economic, social, and sporting considerations.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: aljazeera
Source: Kathya K Berrada
