The Moroccan left: stop your wishful thinking

Twelve days after the Progress and Socialism Party organized a symposium on the unity of the left,its Secretary-General, Mohamed Nabil Benabdallah, received Idris Lachgar, the first secretary of the Socialist Union of Popular Forces Party.
The two parties agreed to form a joint committee between the leadership of their parties to develop a general vision. What is wrong with the Moroccan political left and how can its parties and ideology make a real comeback?

The origins of the weakness:

The left has experienced a significant decline in influence and electoral performance in recent years. This decline can be attributed to a number of factors, including:

Internal divisions and a lack of unity: The Moroccan left has been plagued by internal divisions and a lack of unity for many years. These divisions have prevented the left from presenting a cohesive and credible alternative to the ruling parties.

Failure to adapt to changing social and political conditions: The Moroccan left has been slow to adapt to the changing social and political conditions in Morocco. The party has clung to an outdated ideology that no longer resonates with many voters.

Lack of a clear and compelling vision for the future: The Moroccan left has failed to articulate a clear and compelling vision for the future of Morocco. The party’s message has often been vague and uninspiring.

Ineffective leadership: The Moroccan left has been hampered by ineffective leadership in recent years. The party’s leaders have often been seen as out of touch with the concerns of ordinary Moroccans.

Rise of conservative and religious movements: The rise of conservative and religious movements in Morocco has posed a significant challenge to the left. These movements have been able to mobilize voters on issues of identity and morality.

Failure to connect with young voters: The Moroccan left has failed to connect with young voters in recent years. Young voters are increasingly skeptical of traditional political parties and are more likely to vote for independent candidates.

Lack of a strong base of support among the working class: The Moroccan left has traditionally relied on the support of the working class. However, the working class has been shrinking in recent years, and the left has failed to build a strong base of support among other groups, such as the middle class or the rural population.

Effective use of patronage by the ruling parties: The ruling parties in Morocco have been effective in using patronage to buy the support of voters. This has made it difficult for the left to compete with the ruling parties on a level playing field.

Rise of identity politics: Identity politics has become increasingly important in Moroccan politics in recent years. The ruling parties have been able to exploit this trend by appealing to voters based on their ethnicity, religion, or region.

In order to reverse its decline, the Moroccan left needs to address these challenges and develop a new strategy for winning back the support of voters. The party needs to unite around a common vision, adapt to the changing social and political landscape, and articulate a clear and compelling message that resonates with the Moroccan people.

Making a come back:

The left has been experiencing a decline in influence and electoral performance in recent years. To make a real comeback, the Moroccan left needs to address the challenges it faces and develop a new strategy for winning back the support of voters. Here are some potential strategies that the Moroccan left could consider:

Unite around a common vision: The Moroccan left needs to overcome its internal divisions and unite around a common vision for the future of Morocco. This vision should be based on the party’s core values of social justice, equality, and democracy.

Adapt to the changing social and political landscape: The Moroccan left needs to adapt to the changing social and political landscape in Morocco. This means understanding the concerns of ordinary Moroccans and developing policies that address these concerns.

Articulate a clear and compelling message: The Moroccan left needs to articulate a clear and compelling message that resonates with the Moroccan people. This message should be based on the party’s values and should offer a credible alternative to the ruling parties.

Develop effective leadership: The Moroccan left needs to develop effective leadership that can inspire and motivate its supporters. This leadership should be able to connect with voters and articulate the party’s vision for the future.

Connect with young voters: The Moroccan left needs to make a concerted effort to connect with young voters. This can be done by developing policies that are relevant to young people and by engaging with them through social media and other channels.

Build a strong base of support among the working class: The Moroccan left needs to rebuild its base of support among the working class. This can be done by developing policies that benefit workers and by advocating for their rights.

Challenge the effective use of patronage by the ruling parties: The left needs to find ways to challenge the effective use of patronage by the ruling parties. This could be done by exposing cases of corruption or by developing alternative forms of support for voters.

Develop a counter-narrative to identity politics: The left needs to develop a counter-narrative to identity politics that emphasizes the unity of the Moroccan people. This narrative should focus on shared values and aspirations, rather than on differences in ethnicity, religion, or region.

In addition to these general strategies, the left could also consider more specific measures to address the challenges it faces. For example, the party could develop a new program that is more relevant to the concerns of ordinary Moroccans. The party could also launch a campaign to educate voters about the dangers of identity politics.

Ultimately, the success of the left will depend on its ability to adapt to the changing social and political landscape and to develop a clear and compelling vision for the future of Morocco. If the party can do these things, it will be well-positioned to make a real comeback in future elections.

It is important to note that there is no easy or guaranteed path to success for the Moroccan left. The party faces significant challenges, and any strategy for making a comeback will require hard work, dedication, and perseverance. However, if the Moroccan left is willing to put in the work, it has the potential to play a leading role in shaping the future of Morocco.

Overcoming the Islamists:

The left faces a significant challenge in overcoming the Islamists, who have been gaining ground in recent years. To effectively address this challenge, the left needs to adopt a multifaceted approach that encompasses both ideological and strategic considerations.

Ideological Considerations:

Redefine Identity Politics: The left should strive to redefine identity politics in a way that emphasizes the unity and shared values of the Moroccan people, rather than focusing on differences in ethnicity, religion, or region. This could involve promoting a more inclusive and tolerant vision of Moroccan identity that embraces diversity while also emphasizing common ground.

Articulate a Clear Vision for the Future: The left should develop a clear and compelling vision for the future of Morocco that resonates with the aspirations of ordinary Moroccans. This vision should address the key issues facing the country, such as economic inequality, social justice, and political reform.

Engage with Religious Discourse: The left should engage with religious discourse in a respectful and constructive manner. This could involve participating in public discussions about religion and society, as well as developing partnerships with religious leaders and organizations who share common values.

Strategic Considerations:

Broaden Appeal: The left should broaden its appeal beyond traditional working-class constituencies by reaching out to other segments of Moroccan society, such as youth, women, and rural populations. This could involve developing targeted campaigns and policies that address the specific needs and concerns of these groups.

Effective Communication and Mobilization: The left should improve its ability to communicate its message effectively to the public. This could involve utilizing new media technologies and social media platforms to engage with voters, as well as developing clear and concise messaging that resonates with a wide audience.

Grassroots Organization and Activism: The left should strengthen its grassroots organization and activism at the local and regional levels. This could involve establishing stronger ties with local communities, developing community-based initiatives, and empowering local activists to lead the party’s efforts.

Internal Unity and Cohesion: The left should prioritize internal unity and cohesion within the party. This could involve fostering constructive dialogue, addressing internal disputes, and presenting a united front to the public.

Strategic Alliances and Partnerships: The left should explore opportunities to form strategic alliances and partnerships with other progressive and democratic forces in Moroccan society. This could involve collaborating on common campaigns, sharing resources, and amplifying each other’s voices.

Overcoming the Islamists will require a sustained and multifaceted effort from the Moroccan left. By combining ideological clarity with effective strategic approaches, the Moroccan left can position itself to regain the trust and support of the Moroccan people and play a leading role in shaping the future of Morocco.