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As Morocco’s legislative elections scheduled for September 23 approach, competition among political parties is intensifying, with many seeking to attract celebrities and artists. The goal is to boost their chances of securing seats in the House of Representatives by leveraging these figures’ popularity and influence.
As in previous elections, which saw several artists enter politics, parties are once again opening their doors to cultural figures, with some even placing them at the top of their electoral lists.
Silya Ziani… the latest to join
On Monday, Moroccan Liberal Party Secretary-General Isaac Charia announced that activist and artist Sily Ziani had joined the party.
«Welcome to the free activist, the creative artist, and a model of a woman defending the causes of freedom and dignity. Welcome to the melodious voice of the free women of the Rif Mountains. Welcome, Silya Ziani, to the Moroccan Liberal Party», Charia said in a Facebook post.
Ziani is one of the prominent figures of the Rif movement. She was arrested in June 2017 before being released a month later following a royal pardon.
Charia also announced the candidacy of former detainee Said Ait Mahdi, head of the Coordination of Al Haouz Earthquake Victims, who will represent the party in the Al Haouz constituency.
PJD turns to Fatima Ouchay
Meanwhile, the Justice and Development Party (PJD) has nominated actress Fatima Ouchay to head its regional list in the Casablanca-Settat region.
She is not the first celebrity to run under the party’s «lamp» symbol. Actor Yassine Ahjam previously won a parliamentary seat in 2011 under the PJD banner.
The party has also selected media personality Samir Chaouki to lead its list in Casablanca’s Hay Hassani district. Chaouki described his candidacy as «a sign of the party’s openness to new profiles capable of bringing added value.»
RNI… strong artistic presence
The National Rally of Independents (RNI) remains one of the most active parties in attracting celebrities. It was the first party to see an artist elected to parliament in 2011, with Amazigh singer and poet Fatima Tabaamrant.
In the last elections, two actresses, Fatima Khair and Kalila Bounaylat, won seats under the party’s banner.
Ahead of the upcoming vote, the RNI has attracted several artists, including Benaissa El Jirari, Saad Tsouli, Saeed Ait Baja, Farid Regragui, Fadila Benmoussa, Mohamed Najah, and Hassan Hamouche. The party also announced the creation of the «National Federation of Rallying Artists», focused on the cultural and creative sector.
Others shift affiliations
As the elections near, some figures are also changing political alignment. Former world kickboxing champion and president of the Imouzzer Kandar commune, Mostafa Lakhsem, has decided to part ways with the Popular Movement after meeting with its Secretary-General, Mohamed Ouzzine.
Lakhsem said he requested to be formally expelled from the party to avoid losing his position as commune president if he chooses to run under another party’s banner, citing what he described as the leadership’s «delays» in confirming his candidacy in the Sefrou constituency.
