Popular Movement faces split as members form new «Democratic Popular Movement»

The Popular Movement (PM), an opposition party, is facing an internal split as several of its members break away to form a new political entity, the Democratic Popular Movement.

The initiators of the project submitted the necessary documents on April 28, in line with Organic Law 29-11 on the establishment of political parties. The Ministry of the Interior, led by Abdelouafi Laftit, confirmed the filing in the May 15 edition of the Official Bulletin. The ministry also stated that it is currently reviewing the submitted documents for compliance with Morocco's legal requirements.

Since his election as Secretary-General of the Popular Movement in November 2022, Mohamed Ouzzine has faced legal challenges to his leadership. After nearly two years, the Moroccan judiciary dismissed in May 2024 a lawsuit filed by Driss Zouini contesting Ouzzine’s election at the party’s 14th congress.

Founded in the aftermath of Morocco’s independence by Mahjoubi Aherdane, the Popular Movement has a long history of internal divisions, including a major split in the 1990s led by Aherdane himself.