October 8, 2016
KNOWING YOUR ALLIES:
Islamist PJD Party Wins New Mandate in Moroccan Elections (SAMIA ERRAZZOUKI, 10/08/16, ASSOCIATED PRESS)
"Today democracy won," Prime Minister Benkirane said as the results were coming in. "After leading the government for 5 years, after implementing reforms, after its achievements, after carefully managing the budget and reforms with the retirement fund ... after widening health care coverage, after all of this -- thanks be to God -- today, the Moroccan people have given the PJD a victory."Worries about youth joblessness, high debt and Islamic extremism were on many voters' minds. The results are being closely watched by Morocco's neighbors, who see it as a model of relative stability and prosperity in the region, and are important for Morocco's allies in the West, who have investment deals with the North African nation and share intelligence in fighting the Islamic State group.
Posted by Orrin Judd at October 8, 2016 9:14 AM