Moroccan king is elbowing out political Islamists

Significance

His agenda undermines the government’s political initiative, and continues a process of weakening the political Islamist Justice and Development Party (PJD) that has led the government since 2016.

Impacts

• A worsened economic situation might open a window for more political protest.
• Economic measures based on a general tax increase could be the trigger of social unrest.
• The king’s moves are likely to worsen an already negative public perception of political parties and institutions.