1:40PM
Jamai on the PJD polls
Issandr El Amrani
Abou Bakr Jamai, editor of Morocco's only truly independent publication, Le Journal Hebdo, has an interesting post on his WaPo blog about the biggest political controversy of the moment in Morocco: polls that indicate the Islamist PJD party is set to come about 30% ahead of the next party in next year's parliamentary election.
There was a profile of Bou Bakr in the New Yorker [scanned 7.2MB PDF, it's not available online] in October, and I highly recommend it. It captures Bou Bakr quite well, including the incredible stubbornness that is his greatest strength and greatest flaw. The Arab world needs more people like him.
When first asked about the party they would vote for, Moroccans chose the socialist party with 13% in support. The Islamist PJD party ranked third with 9%. But more than 55% of the citizens polled claimed to be undecided. When those 55% were asked to make up their mind one way or the other, more than 66% chose the Islamist party. That gives the PJD a tremendous lead over the other parties.So true of many other Arab countries.
These figures are interesting in that they show that the portion of the electorate that gives the PJD such overwhelming support are not diehard PJD followers. When asked about what qualities a political party should have to be effective, Moroccans cite honesty, fighting corruption, and responsiveness to citizens' needs as the main attributes. These are attributes that a secular party could perfectly claim.
There was a profile of Bou Bakr in the New Yorker [scanned 7.2MB PDF, it's not available online] in October, and I highly recommend it. It captures Bou Bakr quite well, including the incredible stubbornness that is his greatest strength and greatest flaw. The Arab world needs more people like him.
Reader Comments (3)
I have no doubt that this son of a gun (Issandar) is a Palestinian Shit - if so, what does he have to do with Egypt's politics ? isn't it wiser that he focuses on the impossible-to-solve Palestinian problem and stop this useless site ? can Egypt be in need to the mind of this WORM ?
Wow, that's the first time I see an Egyptian use the same language as an Israeli to describe Palestinians. Am I am not Palestinian, I am Moroccan. Son of a gun!
But the site's not just about Egyptian politics, doctor... I would recommend not skipping your medication next time you decide to send a post.