Nothing much has changed in what regards the rhythm of the political discourse in Morocco. While many imagined that the terrorist attacks that took place in Casablanca in 2003 have become history, the Islamic Justice and Development Party brandished its sword and announced that it was time to reveal the truth about what had happened. The Interior Ministry then responded to this announcement, calling on the companions of Abdelilah Benkirane to define their position in regard to terrorism. However, this controversy is only the beginning of the upcoming confrontations. Indeed, the country will soon be facing the new legislative year and many political alliances are about to emerge. The Islamic Party, which had chosen to lower the number of its candidates in the elections against the backdrop of the repercussions of these terrorist attacks, will probably leak out - one way or the other – its bid not to do so this time around, and that it will not try to push in the direction of having its opponents discuss with the party what it truly wants. The debate over who was behind this attack will not likely be joined by any of the political parties for a simple reason: no one wishes to open the wounds that have since healed, all while there are announcements from time to time about the capture of terrorist cells. Therefore, the Justice and Development Party probably seeks to point in the direction of the Authenticity and Modernity Party (which was founded by former Interior Minister Fouad Ali El Himma), seeing how it was in power during the time of these attacks. As for question why, it is because the conflict is heading toward escalation between the two parties which are both present in the opposition, albeit for different motives related to their respective agendas. Still, whether their motives to engage in this battle are governed by real calculations and considerations or are just a political slip, what is certain is that the Justice and Development Party is no longer the same, given the implications of its domestic conditions, and its abstinence from proposing a political initiative that would remove thorns from its path. It is also certain that the Islamic Party has imposed itself on its opponents and has become a key player in the equation of political legitimacy ensuing from the rejection of the logic of exclusion and marginalization. Nonetheless, it has started to perceive the scenarios after the 2012 elections as though they are going to annul its role and presence. Still, this is mere speculation, and one must wait for the ballot boxes to have their final say. It is unlikely that any side will be able to impose on the Justice and Development Party the way it must run in the upcoming electoral battles, but at the same time, the party cannot disregard the reservations over its management of local affairs in some municipalities. Weighing the political map of the year 2012 using the criteria of the 2007 elections is neither completely sound nor completely false. Instead, it is closer to being assumptions that will each lead to [different] results. Here, the Justice and Development Party is probably the only one which was spared from the implications of these political developments, except in some limited local experiences. This is something it almost brags about, along with the Independence Party and conservative figures, with the difference being that the latter are leading the governmental coalition while the Islamic Party is aligned with the opposition. Still, the distance between them could grow narrower or wider based on the upcoming alliances. This may be the reason why the Justice and Development Party is brandishing its inquiries in regard to the backdrop of the terrorist attacks, although it knows that this could bring it more trouble - not the least of which being the fact that it is squeezing itself in a corner which everyone thought it had exited safe and sound. For the statements of the party's secretary general, Abdelilah Benkirane, to have been misunderstood is one thing, but for him to insist on reopening the files of the attacks which were already settled by the judiciary is something that extends beyond the political exploitation of the issue, and no one could possibly support him in that. The file was closed based on facts, actions and testimonies, although affected by procedural violations with a pure security character. Beyond the comprehension of the background of such a battle, it is believed that the political elite in the country - regardless of its different origins and inclinations - have failed to propose political alternatives that could entice the voters to head to the ballot boxes. The slow changes currently seen at the level of partisan life may reflect an awareness of this gap, which imposes on the Justice and Development Party - that has not yet been classified as being part of the disappointing experiences - the responsibility of coming up with a new political rhetoric that does not feature the remnants of the past, even if only after a few years.
