Justice and Development Party (Morocco)

History

PJD was founded by Abdelkrim al-Khatib, one of the founders of the Popular Movement party, from which he was expelled in the mid-1960s, under the name of MPDC (, the "Popular Democratic and Constitutional Movement"). The party was an empty shell for many years, until various members of a clandestine association Chabiba Islamia, who later formed the MUR (, the "Unity and Reform Movement") joined the party, with the authorisation and encouragement of former interior minister Driss Basri. It later changed its name to current PJD in 1998.

The party won eight seats in the parliamentary election in 1997. behind the Istiqlal Party, which won 52. This was contrary to expectations that the PJD would win the most seats. However, the party had limited number of candidates in the election.

Abdelilah Benkirane was elected leader of the PJD in July 2008, taking over from Saadeddine Othmani. Having won a plurality of seats (107 seats) in the November 2011 parliamentary election, the party formed a coalition with three parties that had been part of previous governments, and Benkirane was appointed Prime Minister of Morocco on 29 November 2011.

His new government has targeted average economic growth of 5.5 percent a year during its four-year mandate, and to reduce the jobless rate to 8 percent by the end of 2016 from 9.1 percent at the start of 2012. Benkirane's government has also actively pursued Morocco's ties with the European Union, its chief trade partner, as well as becoming increasingly engaged with the six-member Gulf Co-operation Council.

In the 2021 general election, the PJD suffered a crushing defeat, losing 113 seats.

On 11 March 2023, the PJD released a statement criticizing Nasser Bourita, Morocco's foreign minister, accusing him of defending Israel during meetings with African and European officials. In response, the royal cabinet released a statement rebuking the PJD. Party leader Abdelilah Benkirane asked members of the party to not comment on the statement released by the royal cabinet and said the comments were directed towards Bourita, rather than the nation's interests.

Ideology

PJD is a conservative Islamic-democratic party which supports the Moroccan monarchy. PJD disavows violence, terrorism and seeks to defend Morocco's Islamic identity through legislative means.

According to a paper published by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, the PJD has placed economic and legal issues at the core of its platform and is committed to internal democracy.

The party's stated platform includes:

• Education reform and reestablishment.
• Economic partnerships with other countries.
• Enhancement of democracy and human rights.
• Encouraging investment.
• Greater "Arab and Muslim unity".

It is historically affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood, however, despite this, PJD was never an official branch.

Electoral results

Moroccan Parliament

Notes

References

References

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5. (9 March 2017). "The 2016 parliamentary elections in Morocco: context and interpretations". Elcano Royal Institute.
6. Abouzzohour, Yasmina. (22 September 2017). "The Persistent Rural Failure of Morocco's Justice and Development Party". Project on Middle East Political Science.
7. Ruedas, Alma, "Sahrawi Self-Determination Within Existing Borders: Adapting the Right to Self Determination to Modern International Norms" (2019). ''Student Research Symposium''. 9. https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/studentsymposium/2019/Presentations/9
8. Mohammed Hirchi. (August 2007). "Political Islam in Morocco: The Case of the Party of Justice and Development (PJD)". ACAS Bulletin.
9. Kristine Krausch. (July 2007). "An Islamist Government in Morocco?". FRIDE.
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12. "Morocco". European Forum.
13. (2012). "Youth Perceptions in Morocco". National Democratic Institute for International Affairs.
14. [http://www.france24.com/fr/20111126-pjd-concertations-partis-politique-maroc-abdelilah-benkirane-suffrages-legislatives Abdelilah Benkirane, dirigeant du Parti justice et développement, annoncé comme le vainqueur des législatives] ''France24''. 27 November 2011. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
15. (19 January 2012). "Morocco's new govt targets 5.5 pct GDP growth". Reuters.
16. (2021-09-09). "Islamists suffer crushing defeat in Moroccan parliamentary elections".
17. (2021-09-09). "Islamists See Big Losses in Moroccan Parliamentary Elections". The New York Times.
18. "The lessons of history: The PJD and the history of partisan politics in Morocco".
19. (2023-03-13). "Royal Court condemns statements from PJD on Kingdom's foreign policy".
20. Aamari, Oussama. "Royal Cabinet Debunks PJD Claims Over Morocco's Position on Palestinian Cause".
21. (2023-03-13). "Benkirane instructs PJD party members to refrain from commenting on royal court statement".
22. Kasraoui, Safaa. "Benkirane Asks PJD Members Not to Comment on Royal Cabinet's Palestine Statement".
23. (2023-03-15). "Benkirane responds to royal scorn over Israel statements".
24. Zouiten, Sara. "PJD Denies Interfering in King Mohammed VI's Constitutional Powers".
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26. Knickmeyer, Ellen. (7 September 2007). "Islamic Party Confident in Morocco". [[The Washington Post]].
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28. (15 December 2007). "Arab Political Parties Database: Morocco: Justice and Development party". [[United Nations Development Programme]].
29. (29 May 2019). "Threat of US designation sparks fears in ruling PJD". Menas Associates.
30. (24 January 2014). "Headaches for Benkirane". [[Africa Confidential]].
31. Mohammed Masbah. (November 2014). "Islamist and Secular Forces in Morocco". [[German Institute for International and Security Affairs]].
32. Abed Charef. (16 September 2021). "Fin de parcours pour les Frères musulmans au Maghreb ?". [[Middle East Eye]].