HIBAPRESS
Even the most pessimistic observers did not expect the Socialist Union of Popular Forces party to reach this catastrophic state during the era of its First Secretary, Idris Lachkar. This situation has not only been characterized by a numerical decline in parliamentary seats but has also manifested as a humiliating defeat and a resounding fall that has sparked widespread ridicule and discontent.
In the electoral district of Taourirt province, the candidate for the Social Center Party (bee symbol), Redouane Talaghi, known as "Moul El Bayd" (Egg Man), caused a major surprise by securing twice the number of votes obtained by the entire Socialist Union party, despite his mother being listed as his runner-up. This scene clearly reflected the depth of the crisis that the historic party in the region is currently experiencing.
Nominations Under Scrutiny and Accusations of "Loose Money"
In light of these disappointing results, Idris Lachkar received sharp and harsh criticism for the way electoral nominations were managed across various constituencies. A large number of angry grassroots members and cadres expressed their strong displeasure with the individualistic and arbitrary nature of granting nominations, which cost the party its credibility and its field-based supporters.
These internal explosions were anticipated, after Manal Tagal, a member of the Rose political bureau, along with the leader and lawyer Mariam Jamal El Idrissi—who later resigned from the party—had previously launched scathing criticisms of the nomination process for the 2026 legislative elections. At the time, the two leaders had warned of financial contributions becoming a decisive criterion in selecting candidates at the expense of activism and competence.
Conversely, Idris Lachkar had repeatedly defended his plan, speaking of the adoption of "precise criteria," "field competencies," and "strict procedures" that were implemented in coordination and consultation with party grassroots—a claim starkly refuted by the Taourirt incident and the ballot results.
Seat Bleeding and Explicit Calls for Accountability
The consequences of this organizational policy were not limited to the electoral scandal in Taourirt; they extended to the party's national performance. The Socialist Union of Popular Forces declined from 34 parliamentary seats to only 26, losing a full 8 seats.
This sharp decline has prompted angry socialist voices to speak out loudly and unite to demand a comprehensive accountability and assessment process with Idris Lachkar, holding him directly responsible for the organizational and political setback he caused to the socialist household.
