Morocco’s Authenticity and Modernity Party wins parliamentary election, interior ministry says

CASABLANCA, Morocco (AP) — Morocco’s Authenticity and Modernity Party won the most seats in the country’s parliamentary election, taking 97 of 395 seats in the House of Representatives, according to final results announced by the Interior Ministry on Friday.

The party, founded by a royal adviser close to King Mohammed VI and known by its French acronym PAM, fell short of an absolute majority and will need to negotiate with other parties to form a governing coalition.

The election was shaped by mounting frustration among young people, high unemployment despite a thriving economy and demands for better schools, hospitals and housing.

It was the first vote since the deadly mass migration attempts to Ceuta in July and the Gen Z-led protests last year.

The next government will oversee billions of dollars in investment as Morocco prepares to co-host the 2030 World Cup, prompting some to describe it as the “World Cup government.” The new political leadership will also face pressure to address everyday concerns, including jobs, wages and the cost of living.

Despite a major drug- and gold-trafficking scandal allegedly involving some senior PAM members, several of whom were sentenced to prison, the party weathered the political fallout and won more seats than in the previous election.

The National Rally of Independents, or RNI, part of the outgoing governing coalition, suffered major losses, winning 66 seats. The moderate Islamist Justice and Development Party, or PJD, which won just 13 seats in 2021, surged to 54.

PAM has previously said it will not form a coalition with RNI. It is likely to gather with third-place winner Istiqlal and other parties that won fewer seats to obtain a majority.

A coalition with the PJD is unlikely due to longstanding political rivalry between the two parties. PAM was founded in 2008 by Fouad Ali El Himma, a childhood friend of the king. The party emerged as a major political force seen as a counterweight to the Justice and Development Party, which previously led the government for a decade.

The PJD said it would remain in the opposition.

The Moroccan Constitution requires the king to appoint a prime minister from the party that wins the most seats in legislative elections.

One possibility for prime minister is Fouzi Lakjaa, president of Morocco’s soccer federation, who recently joined the PAM party and has been buoyed by Morocco’s recent soccer achievements. Lakjaa, 56, who also oversees Morocco’s budget, is a member of the party’s political bureau but not its top official.

Fatima-Zahra Mansouri, 50, mayor of Marrakech and minister of urban planning, is another possibility. If selected, she would be Morocco’s first female prime minister. The party has no single leader and is instead run by a collective leadership, with Mansouri serving as its coordinator.

Six million out of 15.8 million registered voters voted Wednesday in the sixth election since King Mohammed VI ascended to power 27 years ago. Overall participation was 38% — the lowest since 2007.

Faouzi Lekjaa, president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation and member of the political bureau of the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) takes part in an electoral rally ahead of the upcoming legislative elections, in Benslimane, Morocco, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)

Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri, Moroccan minister, politician and mayor of Marrakech, takes part in an electoral rally for Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) ahead of the upcoming legislative elections, in Tangier, Morocco, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)

A man walks out after casting his vote inside a polling station during the legislative elections in Rabat, Morocco, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)

A woman casts her vote inside a polling station during the legislative elections in Rabat, Morocco, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Philadelphia's Luis Arraez, who has a narrow lead in his quest for a fourth straight battling title, will not be in the starting lineup when the Phillies take on Tampa Bay Friday night because of a sprained left ankle.

Bryson Stott replaced Arraez at second base in the opener of a three-game series with the Phillies still needing to clinch their fifth straight playoff berth.

Phillies interim manager Don Mattingly said ahead of the game that Arraez woke up feeling sore and there was no timetable for his return.

“Luis is a guy that can really, really hit,” Mattingly said. “It's a blow to your offense. He's a guy that came in, get his hits. He's been kind of a stabilizer and kind of mixes our lineup a little bit. A different kind of guy.”

Arraez is a three-time batting champion and leads the National League this season with a .310 batting average, just ahead of Arizona’s Gabriel Moreno at .308.

Arraez was injured after he tried to avoid a tag at first base in the Phillies' loss to Milwaukee on Thursday night.

Obtained from San Francisco at the trade deadline, Arraez stayed down for a while as trainers tended to him. He eventually hobbled off the field with assistance.

Philadelphia leads Arizona by two games with three to play. The Diamondbacks finish the season at San Diego and own the tiebreaker over the Phillies.

The Phillies could clinch Friday with a win against the Rays and an Arizona loss to San Diego.

If the Phillies avoid a collapse that would place them alongside the 1964 team in franchise infamy, Arraez would have four days to heal before their NL Wild Card Series starts Tuesday.

“You don't feel great about it because he was so sore this morning," Mattingly said. “We'll see in a couple of days. You feel a lot better. You wrap it, you see what happens.”

Stott was the starting second baseman for the bulk of his career since his 2022 rookie season and was moved to third after the Arraez trade. Edmundo Sosa started at third base against the Rays.

Philadelphia sends Cristopher Sánchez (18-6, 2.93 ERA) to the mound Friday against the AL East champion Rays, needing its ace left-hander to calm the nerves inside the clubhouse — and silence the fans who booed the team off the field after its latest loss. The Phillies have lost 12 of 20 headed into Friday's game.

“These guys have been through it,” Mattingly said. “I feel OK. If we've got to tell guys at this point that it's urgent that we win games, then we're in trouble.”

Mattingly also said All-Star left-hander Jesús Luzardo bounced back fine from his bullpen session on Thursday as he tries to return from left shoulder inflammation ahead of a potential playoff series. Luzardo was placed on the 15-day injured list on Sept. 15, three days after he was scratched from a start at Atlanta because of the shoulder the issue.

“I think he's going to play catch, and we'll see where it goes,” Mattingly said.

See AP’s full MLB coverage here

Philadelphia Phillies' Bryce Harper runs towards home to score on a double by Luis Arraez during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Philadelphia Phillies' Luis Arraez rects to an injury after being thrown out at first base during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Philadelphia Phillies' Luis Arraez (4) is helped off the field after being injured during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)