Moderate Islamist party set to top Morrocco poll

Morocco goes to the polls tomorrow in parliamentary elections that could see opposition Islamists emerging as the largest single party. The Justice and Development Party is popular with the poor and unemployed who say the government has done little to help them.

But the liberal establishment is unlikely to take fright at the development, seeing the moderate Islamists as a bulwark against more extreme religious groups. The ruling coalition includes the other main parties, the Socialists and the conservative Istiqlal or Independence party.

Morocco’s secularist King Mohammad VI appoints the executive and still wields ultimate power. But he has been pushing for gradual political reforms.

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