Benkirane refuses to meet Fatima Zahra Mansouri at the PAM headquarters

Background of the controversy over the Benkirane-Mansouri meeting

The position of Abdelilah Benkirane, Secretary-General of the Justice and Development Party (PJD), has sparked widespread reactions in the Moroccan political scene after he explicitly declared his refusal to hold a meeting with Fatima Zahra Mansouri, the designated head of government, at the headquarters of the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM). This stance comes amid the ongoing consultations for the formation of the new government.

Details of the phone call and Benkirane’s position

In a live broadcast on his official Facebook page, Benkirane explained that he had received a phone call from Mansouri regarding the arrangement of a meeting between the two sides. He confirmed that he gave initial approval, based on the fact that Mansouri represents an official state institution, but stipulated that the meeting should not take place at the PAM headquarters.

Reasons for the refusal and historical precedents

The PJD Secretary-General demanded that the designated head of government come to him, arguing that it was she who requested the meeting. Furthermore, he noted that the subject would not cover his party’s participation in the government, as the PJD has already decided to join the opposition. Benkirane recalled historical precedents from when he was appointed head of government, stating that he had taken the initiative at the time to visit political figures such as Abderrahmane Youssoufi, Abbas El Fassi, and Abdelwahad Radi.

Mansouri’s reaction and the PJD delegation boycott

Benkirane added that Mansouri had promised to consider his request before making a final decision, but she did not contact him again, which pushed him to speak out publicly to end the controversy. He concluded by saying that he was surprised by the announcement of a meeting between Mansouri and a delegation from his party, reiterating his personal refusal and the boycott by all his party leaders of attending any meeting at the ‘PAM’ headquarters in the context of these consultations.