The crying game: Morocco's tearful prime minister sparks mockery

Morocco's prime minister has cried his heart out during a speech on the campaign trail, prompting cheers from some and online jokes from others.

Abdelilah Benkirane began to cry during a rally in the town of Taroudant because he was shocked at the size of the packed out crowd and the support they showed him.

Morocco will elect a parliament on Friday for the first time since the Islamist-led government took office following Arab Spring uprisings that toppled leaders across the region.

"When I arrived here I said to myself Taroudant is a small city, maybe the crowd will be a couple hundred or thousand… but all of you have surpassed my wildest expectations," Benkirane said before he broke down into tears.

The heartwarming sight was met with cheers from the crowd as he wiped away his tears. It even prompted one woman to begin reciting a folk song in praise of the prime minister.

It is not that common a sight to see hardened politicians exposing their softer sides in public, however, it seems Benkirane has no problem at all with it as this was the third time he has shed tears on stage during his re-election campaign, which just started late last month.

In May, his emotions took hold of him during a speech again when a man in the audience shouted at him: "we really love you Benkirane".

The head of the government's sobbing spells may have won over the hearts of some voters, but not political science professor at Fes University, Ahmed Mofid.

"Some politicians rely on wooing voters by presenting an image that they are good people and humble," Mofid told The New Arab's Morocco correspondent Hassan al-Achraf.

"What we have seen could be an attempt at emotional exploitation. Crying does not explain your manifesto or support the results of your term in power. It is a very strange thing to do during an election."

Moroccans have been quick to take to social media to poke fun at the prime minister's crocodile tears.

Translation: "Are Benkirane's tears a new campaign strategy? Or have they come from his fears that he won't be re-elected? Or is he thinking about the state of the country?"

Translation: "Benkirane's tears all over the world."