Morocco's monarchy-aligned Authenticity and Modernity Party won the most seats in Wednesday's parliamentary election, according to provisional results released Thursday by Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit.

The PAM took 97 of the 395 seats in the House of Representatives. It surpassed its former coalition partner, the National Rally of Independents, which won 66 seats. The Istiqlal Party followed with 65 seats.

The Islamist Justice and Development Party rebounded strongly to 54 seats after winning just 13 in 2021. Other parties included the Popular Movement with 29 seats, the Socialist Union of Popular Forces with 26, the Party of Progress and Socialism with 19, and the Constitutional Union with 17.

Voter turnout reached only 38.02 percent, down from 50 percent in the previous election. Roughly 15.8 million Moroccans were registered to vote out of an eligible population of about 27 million.

Under Morocco's 2011 constitution, King Mohammed VI appoints the prime minister from the largest party. This outcome places the PAM in position to form the next government. Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri, the party's leader, could become the second woman to serve as head of government in the Arab world if selected.

The PAM campaigned on promises of job creation and economic measures. The party gained from the recent addition of Fouzi Lekjaa, Morocco's budget minister and football federation chief.

The election followed a period of public protests over living costs and unemployment. The next administration will confront ongoing challenges in employment, wages, and social services.

Coalition negotiations are expected next, as no party holds a majority on its own. The PAM has indicated it may not continue its prior alliance with the RNI.