Moroccan MP Optimistic about Authenticity and Modernity Party’s New Leadership

Morocco’s opposition party, Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), elected Hakim Benchamach as its new leader on Sunday. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Morocco’s opposition party, Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), elected Hakim Benchamach as its new leader on Sunday. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Moroccan MP Optimistic about Authenticity and Modernity Party’s New Leadership

Morocco’s opposition party, Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), elected Hakim Benchamach as its new leader on Sunday. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Morocco’s opposition party, Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), elected Hakim Benchamach as its new leader on Sunday. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Morocco’s opposition Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) elected Hakim Benchamach as its new leader on Sunday to succeed Ilyas El Omari, who resigned last year.

The election was held during an extraordinary session in the northwestern city of Sale near the capital Rabat.

Benchamach received 439 votes from the members of the PAM’s National Council, supported by the majority of the members of the political bureau and the leaders of the Council, chaired by its Speaker Fatima Zahra Mansouri, and a number of members, who were opposed to Omari’s “unilateral decision-making” within the party.

The new PAM secretary-general competed against five candidates, including Mohammed Soulouh (39 votes), Haiba Idi (35 votes), Yasser El-Yaqoubi (12 votes), Aziza Tibi (9 votes) and Hesham Al-Hadari (three votes).

According to sources within the National Council, the closed session witnessed a heated debate and sharp criticism of Omari’s tenure, in addition to disagreements over the method of electing members of the political bureau and a number of other issues.

“I renew my commitment to work with all the party organs in an effective manner, but on the basis of redefining the concept of responsibility,” Benchamach said after his election, stressing the importance of valuing and finding the appropriate institutional and organizational channels, based on a comprehensive and democratic vision.

MP Abdullatif Wehbi told Asharq Al-Awsat that the session was held in a tense atmosphere, noting that all members have adhered to the principle of democracy and individual voting.

This is “the biggest guarantee that the party will follow a new path based on democracy, voting and free choice,” he noted.

Wehbi added that he was optimistic about PAM’s future under its new leadership, stressing that “criticism and sharp debate give political parties their real value and ensure their continuity.”



Germany Not Planning to Recognize Palestinian State in Short Term

This aerial view shows a Palestinian flag amid the protest 'Global Pot-Banging for Gaza' in Guadalajara, Jalisco state, Mexico on July 24, 2025. (Photo by ULISES RUIZ / AFP)
This aerial view shows a Palestinian flag amid the protest 'Global Pot-Banging for Gaza' in Guadalajara, Jalisco state, Mexico on July 24, 2025. (Photo by ULISES RUIZ / AFP)
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Germany Not Planning to Recognize Palestinian State in Short Term

This aerial view shows a Palestinian flag amid the protest 'Global Pot-Banging for Gaza' in Guadalajara, Jalisco state, Mexico on July 24, 2025. (Photo by ULISES RUIZ / AFP)
This aerial view shows a Palestinian flag amid the protest 'Global Pot-Banging for Gaza' in Guadalajara, Jalisco state, Mexico on July 24, 2025. (Photo by ULISES RUIZ / AFP)

Germany is not planning to recognize a Palestinian state in the short term and said its priority now is to make "long-overdue progress" towards a two-state solution, a German government spokesperson said on Friday.

"Israel's security is of paramount importance to the German government," said the spokesperson.

"The German government therefore has no plans to recognize a Palestinian state in the short term," he added.

Recognition of a Palestinian state would only come as one of the final steps in a two-state solution, said the spokesperson.

Palestinians have long sought to create an independent state in the occupied West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem through a mediated peace process.

Many accuse Israel of having destroyed Palestinian statehood prospects through increased settlement building in the West Bank and by levelling much of Gaza during the current war.

Israel rejects this.