National Rally of Independents

History and profile

The party was founded in 1978 by Prime Minister Ahmed Osman, brother-in-law of King Hassan II.

The establishment united independent politicians favoured by the palace and used by the administration to counter the parties that were critical of the king and his government. Later, it became an ordinary party without a special role in Morocco's multi-party system. It was succeeded by the Constitutional Union as the palace's favourite party.

In the parliamentary election held on 27 September 2002, the party won 41 out of 325 seats. In the next parliamentary election, held on 7 September 2007, the RNI won 39 out of 325 seats. The RNI was included in the government of Prime Minister Abbas El Fassi, formed on 15 October 2007.

After the 2016 parliamentary election, billionaire businessman Aziz Akhannouch was elected party president. He undertook a major image revamp for the party, establishing party youth, women's, and student wings, and created a large social media presence for the RNI, spending US$211,000 on Facebook and Instagram ads. Akhannouch also launched the "100 Villes, 100 Jours" (100 Cities, 100 Days) party initiative in which RNI officials and supporters travelled to 100 cities in Morocco, particularly medium and small-sized cities, in 100 days to have their citizens insert proposals for their cities.

In the 2021 general election, the RNI placed first, winning 102 seats amid a crushing defeat for the ruling Justice and Development Party. Akhannouch was then designated Prime Minister by Mohammed VI.

Electoral results

Moroccan Parliament

Prominent members

• Ahmed Osman, founder
• Salaheddine Mezouar, government minister (2007–2012) and current Secretary General of the party.
• Moncef Belkhayat, government minister (2009–2012)
• Amina Benkhadra, government minister (2007–2012)
• Yassir Znagui, government minister (2010–2011). Left the party in late 2011 after being nominated by the King to join the Royal Cabinet as an adviser.
• Aziz Akhannouch, government minister currently in office (2007–) and prime minister since 2021. Left the party on 2 January 2012 in order to participate in Abdelilah Benkirane's government as an independent.
• Asmaa Rhlalou, Mayor of Rabat (2021–)
• Nabila Rmili, Mayor of Casablanca (2021–)

References

References

1. (2020). "Routledge Handbook on Political Parties in the Middle East and North Africa". Routledge.
2. (6 September 2007). "حزب التجمع الوطني للأحرار". Al Jazeera.
3. Jeune Afrique – Numbers 860–873, 1977, p. 30
4. Bouanani, Rachid. (2021-09-15). "Aziz Akhannouch, the billionaire ally of Morocco's Mohammed VI".
5. Sakthivel, Vish. (2013-09-10). "Morocco's Governing Islamists Remain Vulnerable".
6. (26 November 2011). "Moderate Islamist Party Winning Morocco Election". [[The New York Times]].
7. (30 September 2002). "Socialists set to win Morocco poll". [[BBC News]].
8. "Moroccan Political Parties". Riad Reviews.
9. Bernabé López García. (2013). "Morocco: regime and fuse". Routledge.
10. [http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/09/10/africa/AF-GEN-Morocco-Elections.php "Moroccans favor conservative party instead of ushering in Islamic party"], ''Associated Press'', 9 September 2007.
11. fr.
12. "Aziz Akhannouch, the billionaire ally of Morocco's Mohammed VI".
13. (2021-09-21). "RNI Sweeps 2021 National Elections as PJD Support Disintegrates".
14. (9 July 2021). "the RNI presents the results of its "100 cities, 100 days" program".
15. (2021-09-09). "Morocco elections: Islamists suffer losses as liberal parties gain ground".
16. (2021-09-09). "Islamists suffer crushing defeat in Moroccan parliamentary elections".