Rabat: Opposition Islamists could emerge as the largest single party in Moroccan parliamentary polls tomorrow, helped by the support of poor voters disenchanted with the 50-year rule of a modernising elite.
But the liberal establishment is unlikely to take fright at the development, seeing the moderate Islamists of the Justice and Development Party (PJD) as a religious bulwark against jihadists vowing attacks against "infidels" and their allies.
Morocco and neighbouring Algeria have been hit by suicide bombings this year, stirring US fears that Islamist armed groups are planning coordinated attacks throughout the oil- and gas-exporting Maghreb region on Europe's southern flank.
Fight against graft
Moroccans know that real power in the north African country of 30 million will remain with King Mohammad, who combines roles as executive head of state, military chief and religious leader.
"A lot can be done in the fight against corruption, social inequality, to reform our justice and teaching," PJD leader Sa'ad Al Deen Othmani said. He said the PJD would not repeat the experience of other former opposition parties brought into a ruling elite many voters see as aloof and unresponsive to the needs of the poor.
"The other parties have not worked towards carrying out reforms. They have become elites that went into the same logic as the existing system."
The PJD has taken a popular anti-corruption stance to try to add to its tally of 42 seats in the contest among 33 parties for the 325-member lower house of parliament.
Final results are expected on Sunday.
