Moroccan king defends adviser over election comment

Morocco’s King Mohammed has accused a minister of dragging the monarchy into the campaign for October’s legislative elections after the official described a key royal adviser as the incarnation of “authoritarianism”.

The palace’s statement was a rare public defence of the adviser Foud Ali El Himma, the king’s close friend, seen by critics as a symbol of an establishment ill at ease in sharing power with Islamists and other independent political parties.

The parliamentary ballot on 7 October will be only the second vote since the kingdom adopted constitutional reforms designed to calm protests by sharing some power during the uprisings in 2011 that toppled leaders in Libya, Egypt and Tunisia.

The ruling Justice and Development party (PJD) is looking to solidify its position in a system where the king still holds ultimate power.

The PJD and its junior ally the Socialism and Progress party (PPS) have accused the establishment of favouring Authenticity and Modernity party (PAM), the PJD’s main rival.

The palace accused Nabil Benabdallah, the PPS housing minister, of “tarnishing the nation’s reputation and the credibility of its institutions” over comments in which he was quoted as referring to PAM’s founder as authoritarian.

“The royal cabinet wants to remove any doubt regarding that statement and its dangerous and important character, mainly as it came from a member of the government,” the palace said.

“That statement contradicts the constitution and the laws that define the relationship between the monarchy and other national institutions including political parties.”

Benabdallah could not immediately be reached for comment.

Nearly 30 parties are contesting the vote, with mostly similar platforms such as fighting corruption and ending privileges, but none directly challenge the king’s powers.