In Morocco, there is a growing tendency for new politicians to access power at the head of the parties. This is a different kind of power rotation, which provides opportunities for the second and third row politicians. The beginning was with an Islamic party that Abdelilah Benkirane pushed to the front in the government. Meanwhile, another official at the Independence Party believes that he can obtain a more important post within or outside the cabinet. Indeed, Hamid Shobat appeared to be keener on taking part in the path followed by the conservative party. In the same context, the ninth conference of the Moroccan Socialists appears to be a new stop for them, allowing them to enhance their position within the opposition or to reshuffle the cards creating unexpected turns of events. However, a surprise was staged by the Secretary General of the Party of Progress and Socialism, Nabil Ben Abdullah, who struck an alliance with the old Communists and the Islamic party in the current alliance cabinet. Until recently, there was a reigning conviction that the abstinence of the Moroccan youths from taking part in the voting process is indicative of a peaceful relationship between the parties and the Street. Although marginalizing the role of the parties formed natural channels to divert the public's attention away, it also cast some shadows on the available opportunities for dialogue, until the Arab Spring came to announce the end of the politics of marginalization. This is one indication to the change that occurred within the basics of politics, whereby the monopolization of the partisan officials, the traditional figures and the powerful families came to an end. Even more, the traditional political and intellectual connection between the image of the leader always being a cleric, a traditional politician or a famous lawyer has regressed to a major extent. It now seems that there is a tendency to adapt the traits of a political leader who is able to make politics down to earth and make it walk hand in hand with the simple ones, the youths, the farmers, and the workers. However, the regression of some official prototypes is yet another indication to the major turnaround that occurred at the front rows of the Arab Spring revolution although matters are confined to the general framework of the political practices in light of what is known as democratic legitimacy. It was not the death of Dr. Abdel Karim al-Khatib, founder of the Justice and Development party, that pushed this Islamic party to invade the spaces that used to be monopolized by the traditional parties and pro-gevernment elite leaders. Similarly, the mistakes of the former Prime Minister, Abbas al-Fassi, were not the reason that pushed the Independence party to make a complete change of image. Also, at the end of the term of Abdel Wahed al-Radi, the leader of the Socialists, it will not be the sole justification for opening the free competition market to the power aspirants within the party. There are even larger changes pointing in the horizon. The Moroccan society might have made a first step on the road of self-discovery and self-expression. For example, the February 20 youth movement has demonstrated a massive amount of energy that headed to the street. In addition, the different political groups experienced soft revolts that rejected the monopolization of the partisan power. This movement of change cannot be possibly confined to the horizon of the political parties. It is rather a thermometer that measures the reigning temperature. One major Moroccan politician once likened partisan work to watching the pots placed on a stove. He added that the politicians' job is to watch the milk as it boils and to swiftly lift it from the stove if it comes to overflow. This is no longer possible. The Street, or a part of it, is now on a hot plate. One must realize that listening to the pulse of the Street, no matter of how angry it is, is better than exposing it to a devastating burning fire. The change that started to occur within the political elites will undoubtedly have a mid and a long term effect. It is better for change to match the new awareness that has been spreading in time and place, and no possible barriers and differences can contain it. Nevertheless, the strength of any growing democratic country is strongly and usefully linked to the strength and effectiveness of its parties, organizations and society.
