Socialist Union of Popular Forces
Socialist Union of Popular Forces الاتحاد الاشتراكي للقوات الشعبية Union Socialiste des Forces Populaires | |
|---|---|
| First Secretary | Driss Lachgar |
| Founded | 1975 |
| Split from | National Union of Popular Forces |
| Headquarters | Rabat, Morocco |
| Newspaper |
Al Ittihad al Ichtiraki (Arab) Libération (French) |
| Ideology |
Social democracy[1] Democratic socialism[1] |
| Political position | Centre-left |
| European affiliation | Party of European Socialists (observer) |
| International affiliation |
Socialist International, Progressive Alliance |
| Colours | Purple, White |
| House of Representatives |
39 / 395 |
| House of Councillors |
24 / 270 |
| Website | |
| www.usfp.ma | |
The Socialist Union of Popular Forces, USFP, (Arabic: الاتحاد الاشتراكي للقوات الشعبية Al-Ittihad Al-Ishtirakiy Lilqawat Al-Sha'abiyah, French: Union Socialiste des Forces Populaires) is a social-democratic[1] political party in Morocco.
History and profile
The USFP was originally formed as a breakaway from the National Union of Popular Forces (UNFP), a Socialist opposition party which had itself split from the Istiqlal Party in 1959.[2] The USFP was established in 1975.[3][4]
The party won the parliamentary election of 1997.[5] Then the party led the government of Morocco which was a centre-left coalition.[5] During this period Abderrahmane Youssoufi, the leader of the party, was the prime minister of Morocco.[5]
In the parliamentary election held on 27 September 2002, the party won 50 out of 325 seats, making it the largest party in the Moroccan parliament. Following those elections It formed a government with the "Istiqlal" party in a three-party coalition known as the "Koutla".
In the next parliamentary election, held on 7 September 2007, the USFP won 38 out of 325 losing 12 seats and became only the fifth largest party in parliament.[6] The USFP was included in the government of Prime Minister Abbas El Fassi, formed on 15 October 2007.[7]
The USFP is a full member of the Socialist International[8] and an observer of the Party of European Socialists.[9]
In the run-up to the November 2011 parliamentary elections, the USFP sought to present a united front with the Party of Progress and Socialism (PPS) and Democratic Forces Front (FFD) to reverse the loss of support for the Moroccan left in recent years.[10] The party placed fifth place with 39 seats in the 2011 elections.[11]
Electoral performance
| Year | Number of votes | Percentage of votes | Seats in the House of Representatives |
Position in Parliament |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | |
|
1 / 264 |
Opposition |
| 1984 | |
|
35 / 301 |
Opposition |
| 1993 | |
|
52 / 333 |
Opposition |
| 1997 | |
|
57 / 325 |
Leading government under Abderrahmane Youssoufi |
| 2002 | |
|
50 / 325 |
Part of the government |
| 2007 | |
|
38 / 325 |
Part of the government |
| 2011 | |
|
39 / 395 |
Opposition |
References
- 1 2 3 El-Hussein A’boushi (2010), "The Socialist Union of Popular Forces Party in Morocco", Returning to Political Parties? (The Lebanese Center for Policy Studies), pp. 131–173, retrieved 1 December 2011
- ↑ Marvine Howe (2 June 2005). Morocco: The Islamist Awakening and Other Challenges: The Islamist Awakening and Other Challenges. Oxford University Press. p. 100. ISBN 978-0-19-534698-5. Retrieved 10 October 2014.
- ↑ Marvine Howe (2 June 2005). Morocco: The Islamist Awakening and Other Challenges: The Islamist Awakening and Other Challenges. Oxford University Press. p. 112. ISBN 978-0-19-534698-5. Retrieved 10 October 2014.
- ↑ "Moroccan Political Parties". Riad Reviews. Retrieved 10 October 2014.
- 1 2 3 Remy Leveau (December 1998). "A democratic transition in Morocco?". Le Monde diplomatique. Retrieved 10 October 2014.
- ↑ "Moroccans favor conservative party instead of ushering in Islamic party", Associated Press (International Herald Tribune), 9 September 2007.
- ↑ "Le roi nomme un nouveau gouvernement après des tractations difficiles", AFP. 15 October 2007 (French).
- ↑ List of Socialist International parties in Africa Socialist International.
- ↑ Party of European Socialists official website
- ↑ "NORTH AFRICA REGION DAILY NEWS UPDATE". Aswat. 24 October 2011. Retrieved 30 October 2011.
- ↑ "Morocco". European Forum. Retrieved 10 October 2014.
External links
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