Royal message to Benkirane: the rules of the game are clear. 7653
His Majesty King Mohammed VI sent a congratulatory message to Abdelilah Benkirane on the occasion of his re-election as Secretary General of the Justice and Development Party (PJD) during its ninth National Congress. A careful reading of the message reveals that it goes beyond mere formal protocol. Behind the usual institutional courtesy lies a subtle political writing, faithful to the Palace’s style, where every word is weighed and every phrase meaningful.
As customary, the tone is both cordial and measured, acknowledging Benkirane’s trajectory on the national stage. His Majesty praises "the sense of responsibility" of the former head of government and "his attachment to the constants and sacred values of the nation." These words serve as a clear reminder of the fundamentals of the constitutional monarchy and the foundational values of the Kingdom. This is the choice of an entire nation. Is this not an unambiguous reminder of an implicit red line? The expression is diplomatic but reminds Benkirane and all PJD members and factions that adherence to the constitution’s foundations is the sine qua non condition for any political participation.
Moreover, this message comes at a time when the PJD seeks to regain momentum after a historic electoral defeat. By congratulating Benkirane, His Majesty indirectly acknowledges his political comeback. However, one must read between the lines that the party must understand and definitively accept that opposition is legitimate but must remain within the constitutional balances. The message thus takes on the tone of a political beacon: encouragement to responsibility and a warning against any adventurism.
The remarks of some foreign guests at the congress were more than surprising, especially since no reprimand was noted. Likewise, the statement by Benkirane’s deputy a few days before the congress, which caused a stir on social media, raised many questions about the party’s new direction, which seems to be emerging.
The party must firmly assimilate that religion does not need it for defense; the Islamic reference is a foundation of the Moroccan constitution, which also guarantees broad individual freedoms and protects religious minorities as essential components of the nation. It must understand that the Palestine issue is a priority of Moroccan diplomacy and not an electoral campaign topic. Its role must implicitly remain eminently political, within the constitutional framework and nothing else.
The message could also be read as a way to reposition Benkirane in the political landscape, distinguishing him from other critical voices of the system while reminding him that his party is like any other. The message explicitly refers to "honorable" parties. This is a tactical gesture, perhaps aimed at restoring a role to a framed and responsible opposition at a time when Morocco’s party landscape suffers from a real deficit of credibility and societal anchoring.
In sum, the message is not merely symbolic: it is a piece of a broader political chessboard, where managing the country’s balances prudently and delicately is essential and unavoidable.
While explicitly a protocol act of congratulations, the message contains several elements rich in meaning and political insinuations.
The Sovereign, while emphasizing the renewed confidence placed in Benkirane to lead the PJD and wishing him full success in his missions, particularly stresses the need to consolidate the party’s position on the national political scene and to strengthen its active participation alongside other honorable political formations. This insistence recalls the importance of serious, responsible engagement serving the general interest with a distinctly national imprint. The framework is clear and the scope of action precise.
His Majesty highlights the accompaniment of the overall development process led under his guidance, aiming to propel Morocco toward greater modernity, progress, and prosperity. This explicit reference to royal leadership in national development underscores that the PJD must align with this dynamic and support the country’s orientations transparently and sincerely.
The interests of the Moroccan nation are clear and stand as the only path considered. Parties exist to serve the supreme interests of the homeland, placed above all other considerations. This mention is an implicit warning against any ambition or action that might stray from the Kingdom’s fundamental principles and national unity.
Thus, His Majesty’s congratulatory message, while cordial, carries clear injunctions regarding the expected role of the PJD under Benkirane’s leadership: to strengthen its political anchoring within the national framework, act responsibly, support the royal development project, and respect national constants. These elements can be perceived as subtle reminders to all parties of their duties and limits in today’s Moroccan political landscape.