Morocco's opposition accuses tycoon PM of fraud after losing another legislative election

Morocco's Islamist opposition has once again accused the country's tycoon prime minister, Aziz Akhennouch, of committing election fraud as his party swept another legislative election.

"We express our condemnation and denunciation of the shameful and undemocratic practices carried out by the party of the head of government, who has openly disregarded the laws by buying loyalties and harnessing intermediaries and brokers to sabotage the electoral process," reads a statement by the Justice and Development Party's bureau in Fes.

On Tuesday, 23 April, the Fes district, northern Morocco, held an exceptional legislative election following the dismissal of its elected candidate over "committing acts that violate the ethics of public office."

In Tuesday's elections, the current government coalition —composed of three parties — rallied behind one candidate, Khalid Al-Ajli, a member of the National Rally of Independents (RNI), the PM's party.

Al-Ajli won by 52% of votes over six other candidates affiliated with different opposition parties.

The PJD, whose candidate came second, took the opportunity to hold the once businessman and now political leader Aziz Akhennouch "fully responsible for the unprecedented political deterioration and the staggering decline in citizens' trust."

Contacted by The New Arab, no one from the RNI party was available to address the accusations.

Last January, the PJD's leader and former Prime Minister, Abdelilah Benkirane, called for early elections, arguing that Akhennouch and his government are unfit to rule because they lost "the people's trust."

This is not the first time Akhennouch has faced fraud accusations.

Amidst the 2021 elections, the controversial businessman faced similar allegations from Abdellatif Ouhabi, head of the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), now part of Akhennouch's government coalition.

At the time, Akhennouch's party categorically denied "the baseless accusations."

The Prime Minister's US$1.6 billion wealth has been a hot topic since his party's massive victory in the 2021 elections.

Ranked 14th among Africa's billionaires, Akhennouch has stressed on several occasions that he does not get paid for his position as Prime Minister and that he is only in the position for the "nation's interests."

The 61-year-old politician built his legacy on encouraging entrepreneurship and promising a ‘social state’ where aid and job opportunities would be available.

Two years into office, the tycoon has yet to deliver on his promises as unemployment rose to 13%.