Morocco’s Ruling Party Leader Aziz Akhannouch to Step Aside Ahead of 2026 Elections

Aziz Akhannouch, president of Morocco’s ruling National Rally of Independents (RNI), has announced that he will not contest the country’s next parliamentary elections, scheduled for September 2026.

The decision was confirmed during a meeting of the party’s political bureau on Saturday. Akhannouch also said he would not seek re-election as RNI president at the party’s eighth national congress, set for February 7.

He cited adherence to the party’s internal regulations, which limit the presidency to two terms, as the basis for his decision.

Despite stepping aside, Akhannouch expressed confidence in the RNI’s organisational strength and political influence, saying the party remains well positioned to retain its leading role on the national stage and contest the upcoming legislative elections with confidence.

Reflecting on his tenure, Akhannouch noted that since assuming leadership of the RNI in 2016, the party had gone on to win the 2021 parliamentary elections and lead the government formed after the September 8 vote.

Meanwhile, the party has announced that nominations for the RNI presidency will open from January 12 to January 21 at its central headquarters in Rabat.