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Morocco nationalists in poll win Morocco nationalists win election
(2 days later)
Morocco's conservative Istiqlal party, a member of the governing coalition, has won the most seats in parliamentary elections, provisional results say. Morocco's conservative Istiqlal party has won the most seats in Saturday's parliamentary elections.
Istiqlal (Independence) won 52 seats, followed by the opposition Islamists of the Justice and Development Party (PJD) with 47, said the interior minister. The final results give Istiqlal (Independence) 52 seats, followed by the opposition Islamist Party of Justice and Development (PJD) with 46.
The PJD had expressed hopes of emerging as the largest party and accused the ruling secular elite of buying votes. Its coalition partner, the centre-left USFP won the last election - but could only manage 5th place this time.
The government dismissed the claim but said it would examine any evidence. Istiqlal's victory means Morocco is likely to stay on its present course, maintaining close ties with the West.
In a report, international observers said: "[The election] was characterised by a spirit of transparency and professionalism during the entire election campaign." All eyes now will be on the appointment of the country's prime minister, which should take place in the next few weeks.
Voters chose candidates from more than 30 parties, about a dozen of whom were expected to make it to parliament. That decision lies in the hands of the king, a sign according to critics that democracy still has its limits in Morocco, which styles itself as a constitutional monarchy.
Poor turnout France praised the "transparent and fair nature" of the elections, saying it confirmed "the firm establishment of democracy in Morocco".
The centre-left USFP won the last election, and was joined by Istiqlal in government. 'Bitter disappointment'
The result is a huge surprise for Istiqlal, the secular party of independence whose political fortunes had been in the doldrums in recent years.
The PJD's leader Saadeddine Othmani is bitterly disappointed
The PJD accused the ruling secular elite of buying votes - a claim the government dismissed, though it said it would examine any evidence.
The BBC's Richard Hamilton in the capital, Rabat, says the results are a bitter disappointment for the PJD which thought it had mobilised widespread support and had expressed hopes of emerging as the largest party.
PJD leaders had visited Washington to defuse any fears that the party could harbour a secret radical agenda.
Its leaders say they are not extremists who want to create an Islamic state.
Poor but stable
Turnout was estimated at 37% of the 15 million voters, the lowest in Morocco's young democratic history.Turnout was estimated at 37% of the 15 million voters, the lowest in Morocco's young democratic history.
But since most power is still held by the monarchy in Morocco, analysts say it is not the elections that need attention but constitutional reform. According to government figures, slightly more than half the population of 15.5 million were registered to vote. Some 3,000 observers, including 52 from other countries, were deployed across the country.
Saadeddine Othmani is keen to show his party are not extremistsThe BBC's Richard Hamilton in the capital, Rabat, says it was no mean feat that the polls were spared disruption from extremists. International observers said: "(The election) was characterised by a spirit of transparency and professionalism during the entire election campaign."
Morocco has escaped the kind of unrest that plagues neighbouring Algeria, where a car bomb on Saturday killed nearly 30 people.Morocco has escaped the kind of unrest that plagues neighbouring Algeria, where a car bomb on Saturday killed nearly 30 people.
Many Moroccans feel the government has not done enough to eradicate widespread poverty, unemployment and corruption, our correspondent says. But many Moroccans feel the government has not done enough to eradicate widespread poverty, unemployment and corruption.
PJD leaders have visited Washington to defuse any fears that the party could harbour a secret radical agenda.
Its leaders say they are not extremists who want to create an Islamic state.
Just days ago, the US granted nearly $700m (£350m) in economic aid to Morocco.Just days ago, the US granted nearly $700m (£350m) in economic aid to Morocco.
The US is keen to encourage moderates to counter the threat posed by more extreme movements in North Africa, say political observers.The US is keen to encourage moderates to counter the threat posed by more extreme movements in North Africa, say political observers.