As Monarchy Falters, Islamism Rises - Jamai Aboubakr - PostGlobal
Aboubakr Jamai, publisher of Le Journal Hebdomadaire, has an analysis of forthcoming Moroccan legislative elections in the Washington Post. Jamai points out that while the Islamic Party of Justice and Development commands the allegiance of only a small number of voters committed to a party, it is the overwhelming choice undecided voters.
When first asked about the party they would vote for, Moroccans chose the socialist party with 13% in support. The Islamist PJD party ranked third with 9%. But more than 55% of the citizens polled claimed to be undecided. When those 55% were asked to make up their mind one way or the other, more than 66% chose the Islamist party. That gives the PJD a tremendous lead over the other parties.
Secular parties have proven to be neither honest nor efficient, according to Mr. Jamai, with the result that they are increasingly being squeezed between the all powerful monarchy and the surging Islamists. Real reform will only come with more freedom and accountability in the government.
Update: For French speakers, Larbi has a very interesting commentary on the Economist Intelligence Unit's assessment that Morocco is one of the more stringent dictatorships in the world. Larbi points out that, for good or ill, the fact that Islam is the state religion and the activities of other religions are circumscribed makes the country less "democratic" from the Western point of view of the Economist.