Prominent leader in Morocco’s PJD quits politics

Mustafa Ramid, a prominent leader in  Morocco’s Justice and Development Party (PJD), announced his retirement from politics and party work, without revealing the reasons for his decision.

This came in a speech by the former Minister of State in charge of Human Rights and Relations with Parliament during a ceremony to pass on powers to his successor, Mustafa Baitas, the delegated minister in charge of relations with Parliament and government spokesman.

The resignation is believed to be one of the repercussions of the PJD’s defeat in the recent legislative elections as the party now ranked eighth managed to hold only 13 seats, down from 125 seats it won in the 2016 elections. In previous media statements, Ramid revealed his health status as a factor for his decision.

“I leave the government duty today, which took 10 years, and after 14 years of parliamentary responsibility; I am retiring from politics in general.”

He added: “I confirm my retirement from party work as I previously announced, thanking the members and leaders of the Justice and Development Party for their confidence.”

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Ramid is one of the most prominent leaders of the PJD, which led the government for two consecutive terms for the first time in the history of the Kingdom.

On Thursday, King Mohammed VI of Morocco appointed a new government headed by Aziz Akhannouch, head of the National Rally of Independents Party, comprising 24 ministers, including seven women.

Following last month’s elections, Akhannouch announced that he had formed a coalition government of three parties: the National Rally of Independents (RNI), 102 out of 395 seats in Parliament, Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), 86 seats, and Al-Istiqlal, 81 seats.