Morocco's PAM Party Justifies Inclusion of Government Minister and Regional Head in Political Bureau

The Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) has defended the decision to appoint Fouzi Lekjaa and Khattar Ynja to its political bureau, a move that sparked debate regarding party hierarchy. Both Lekjaa, the minister delegate for the budget, and Ynja, president of the Dakhla-Oued Zem regional council, are recent additions to PAM.

A party source explained that PAM's statutes allow for such appointments. Lekjaa's position in the government and Ynja's leadership of a regional council automatically qualify them for membership in the political bureau. The party asserts that this is a standard practice in Moroccan politics, where other parties also grant executive committee seats to government members, parliament speakers, and regional heads.

“

Party laws grant membership in the political bureau to Lekjaa, as a member of the government, and to Khattar Ynja, as president of the Dakhla-Oued Zem regional council.

This justification comes amid discussions about the rapid ascent of new members within the party's leadership. PAM aims to clarify that these appointments are in line with established party rules and common political norms in the country.

“

Almost all parties adopt these provisions in their basic regulations, granting membership in their executive bodies to the speakers of the two houses of parliament, government members, heads of parliamentary groups, heads of party organizations, and regional presidents, as is the case with PAM, which includes a number of members of its political bureau by virtue of their position.