The new Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) edged out the Istiqlal Party on Friday (June 12th) to win the greatest number of seats in Morocco's communal elections. The accomplishment may change the political landscape in Morocco.

According to a Saturday announcement by Interior Minister Chakib Benmoussa, Fouad Ali El Himma's PAM received roughly 18% of all votes cast and won 6,015 seats (21.7%) of the 27,795 contested.

The big win comes a fortnight after the party switched sides from Morocco's ruling coalition to the political opposition.

Eight of the 30 parties represented in the poll won a combined 84% of the votes and 90% of the seats. These were the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), the Istiqlal Party, the National Rally of Independents (RNI), the Socialist Union of People's Forces (USFP), the Popular Movement (MP), the Justice and Development Party (PJD), the Constitutional Union (UC) and the Party of Progress and Socialism (PPS).

Following the major breakthrough, PAM member Abdelkader Belkacem told Magharebia how hard his party had worked for the victory. "I'd like to thank the people who voted for us," he said. "I think they voted for change and better management of local affairs in the future."

Miloud Belqadi, a teacher and researcher, believes that the elections revealed a new political force in Morocco that could change the face of politics in the future.

"While it's true that these elections showed that the PAM is a new party that must be taken seriously, we may also conclude that the regular parties such as the USFP and PPS need to review the way in which they relate to the public," he said.

The Istiqlal Party, which leads the ruling coalition, came second with 5,292 seats (19% of the total). They received 1,022,662 votes (16.6%).

The RNI, which forms part of the ruling coalition, won 4,112 seats (14.8%) and placed third. The USFP was fourth with 3,226 seats (11.6%), while the Popular Movement came fifth with 2,213 seats (8%).

The Islamist PJD performed poorly. Winning just 1,513 seats (7.4%), the main opposition party made no gains.

"Admittedly, the party limited its coverage to 38% of all seats," said party spokesman Lahcen Daoudi, "but it should be noted that the PJD fell victim to certain dishonest practices engaged in by the authorities and some partisan quarters."

The UC and PPS won 1,303 seats (4.7% of the vote) and 1,102 seats (4% of votes) respectively.

The interior minister announced that 3,406 women were elected in Friday's poll, as compared with 127 in 2003. Additionally, 18% of the winners are under age 35.

The final turnout was 52.4% (7 million voters) of a total of 13,360,000 registered voters.

"The turnout figure shows that people are regaining their faith in politics somewhat," said Nizar Baraka of the Istiqlal Party. "Parties must now continue their efforts to anchor this faith in the minds of the public, especially young people."