Aftati vs. Benkirane: The Struggle Over Riding the “Gen Z” Wave Ignites Internal Conflict in the PJD
Once again, the Justice and Development Party (PJD) finds itself mired in internal conflicts, but this time the dispute is not about positions or principles; it revolves around who holds the right to speak on behalf of what is termed “Generation Z” and who can effectively ride the wave of youth enthusiasm.
A message titled “In Support of the GenZ212 Movement.. It’s Time to Mobilize Deeply,” was signed by Aftati in his personal capacity, without consulting the party’s institutions or discussing it with them. This prompted a reaction from Benkirane, who viewed it as behavior contrary to the organizational discipline rules within the party.
In a swift response, Benkirane published a brief statement via his official social media pages, stating: “An open letter addressed to His Majesty the King is circulating on social media, among the signatories is brother ‘Abdulaziz Aftati’, an endeavor that was not discussed with the party’s institutions, and he bears responsibility for it personally.”
He added: “I call upon all party members and officials not to sign or engage in any similar initiatives, emphasizing the necessity of adhering to the directives and positions of the competent party institutions.”
Benkirane’s stance ignited a broad discussion within the party’s ranks, especially given the previous tensions between the leaders. The Secretary-General had previously criticized Aftati publicly during a youth meeting of the party, describing some of his positions as “political foolishness.”
The disagreement cannot be viewed in isolation from the deeper crisis the party has faced since its significant electoral decline. This incident reveals a stark contrast in visions and orientations within the party, between those advocating for openness to new social movements and understanding their demands, and those insisting on compliance with strict party institutions and organizational regulations.
Analysts also consider Aftati’s signing of the message supporting the “Gen Z” movement as a way to appeal to the youth, aiming to attract them amidst what some perceive as the party’s loss of connection with the public after years in power.
As these tensions escalate, a fundamental question arises: Does the Justice and Development Party have the capacity to overcome these internal conflicts and regain its cohesion? Or is the party heading toward a new phase of organizational fragmentation that could exacerbate its political crisis?
