Is the “religious framework” of Morocco’s Justice and Development Party a political tactic or a sign of normalization?

Introduction Morocco’s Party of Justice and Development (PJD), founded under a different name in 1967, first came to power following the 2011 parliamentary elections. The PJD, which has long emphasized Islamic themes and values – although never explicitly claiming to be an “Islamist” party – obtained a 27 per cent plurality in the new parliament. King Mohamed VI (1999present) appointed Abdelilah Benkirane, PJD’s secretary general, as the new Prime Minister.