Rabat Mayor Asmaa Rhlalou and seven local elected officials announced their resignation from the National Rally of Independents (RNI) on June 6, 2026, just one day before the official start of the electoral campaign for local elections. The move was reported by multiple Moroccan media outlets, including Hespress and Le360.
The resignations were confirmed by party sources, though no official statement from the RNI leadership has been issued as of June 7. Rhlalou, who has served as mayor of Rabat since 2021, did not provide immediate public comment on the reasons for her departure.
Political analysts suggest the mass resignation could be linked to internal disagreements over candidate selection for the upcoming municipal elections, scheduled for later this year. The RNI, led by Aziz Akhannouch, is part of the current government coalition.
The departure of the mayor and seven councilors represents a significant blow to the RNI's presence in the capital, potentially reshaping the political landscape in Rabat ahead of the vote.
