The National Democratic Party (PND), a liberal right-wing, pro-régime and pro-monarchist organization that participated in several governments in the last ten years, is not an opposition party in Morocco (Political Handbook of the World:1999 2000, 664; AFP 14 Aug. 1997; AFP 4 Aug. 1997; The Economist Intelligence Unit 14 Apr. 2000). The PND is part of a right-wing political front called Wifaq that also includes the Union Constitutionelle (UC) and the Mouvement Populaire (MP) (ibid.; MAP 27 Apr. 1998). The Economist Intelligence Unit stated that "there is very little difference between the policies and philosophies of the centrist and right-wing parties, and they all unquestionably support the monarchy" (ibid.).

In an article published in the Journal of Democracy in 1996 and entitled "Power and Opposition in Morocco", Omar Bendourou consider the PND an "administrative party founded by the régime."

The National Entente was created in 1993 by the rightist parties that currently make up the coalition government. It consists of the Popular Movement (MP), which dates from 1958; the National Democratic Party (PND), formed in 1981; and the Constitutional Union (UC), created in 1983. The PND and the UC were founded by the regime, and are commonly known as "administration parties." There are two other right-of-center parties that do not fit into either of the two coalitions. These are the National Popular Movement (MNP), which emerged in 1991 out of a split in the MP, and the National Assembly of Independents (RNI), which was established in 1978 as Morocco's original "administration party," but later began to distance itself from the government.

The PND, created in April 1981, was led by a former union representatives Mohammed Arsalane El-Jadidi and Abdelhamid Kacemi (Monde Arabe Maghreb-Machrek 1997, 127; Political Handbook of the World:1999 2000, 664). El-Jadidi, who died of chronic illness in June 1999, was replaced by Abdallah Kadiri, one of the founding members of the PND (Maroc Hebdo International 29 Nov.-5 Dec. 1997; RTM-TV 22 June 1999; Le Temps du Maroc 24-30 Sept. 1999). Kadiri's contender was Dr. Ahmed Alami (ibid. 19-25 Nov. 1999).

The party represents the interests of the rural noble class (Monde Arabe Maghreb-Machrek Oct.-Dec. 1997, 127). It also has a newspaper called Al-Nidal al-Democrati (ibid.). The party held its first congress on 11-13 June 1983 where its leader affirmed the party's loyalty to the monarchy (Political Handbook of the World:1999 2000, 664).

After a brief moment of popularity in the mid-80s, the PND has been declining steadily in popularity and importance going from 24 in 1983 to 10 MPs following the 1997 elections (Maroc Hebdo International 29 Nov.-5 Dec. 1997; ibid. 21-27 June 1997; Le Temps du Maroc 24-30 Sept. 1999). Le Temps du Maroc further indicated that in 1983 the PND obtained 11.90 per cent of the votes to drop to only 4.52 per cent in the 1997 election (19-25 Nov. 1999).

No documentary sources consulted indicated any instances of discrimination, harassment or ill-treatment of members of the PND by the authorities.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

Agence France Presse (AFP). 14 August 1997. "Women Enter Government for First Time in Morocco Reshuffle." (NEXIS)

_____. 4 August 1997. "19 Ministers Sacked." (NEXIS)

The Economist Intelligence Unit. 14 April 2000. "Morocco: Political Forces." (NEXIS)

The Journal of Democracy. 1996. Omar Bendourou. Vol. 7, No. 3. "Power and Opposition in Morocco." http://muse.jhu.edu/demo/journal_of_democracy/7.3bendourou.html [Accssed 23 May 2000]

Maroc Hebdo International [Rabat]. 29 November-5 December 1997. Abdellah Chankou. No. 299. "La Mauvaise Tactique." http://www.maroc-hebdo.press.ma/Mhinternet/Archives299/La%MAUVAISE%20TACTIQUE.html [Accessed 23 May 2000]

_____. 21-27 June 1997. MM. Bensaid and El Yazghi. No. 279. "La Koutla C'est Fini." http://www.maroc-hebdo.press.ma/Mhinternet/Archives279/Articles1.html [Accessed 23 May 2000]

MAP News Agency [Rabat, in English]. 27 April 1998. "Lower House Speaker Defends Method of Voting on Government Programme." (BBC Summary 27 Apr. 1998).

Monde Arabe Maghreb-Machrek. October-December 1997. Zakya Daoud. No. 158. "Maroc: Les Élections de 1997."

Political Handbook of the World: 1999. 2000. Edited by Arthur S. Banks. Bighamton, NY: CSA Publications.

RTM-TV [Rabat, in Arabic]. 22 June 1999. "Leader of National Democratic Party Dies." (BBC Summary 22 June 1999/NEXIS)

Le Temps du Maroc [Rabat]. 24-30 September 1999. "Le Gouvernement d'Alternance est à Bout de ses Moyens." http://tempsdumaroc.press.ma/hebdomadaire/1999/24au30sep204/pol2.htm [Accessed 23 May 2000]

_____. 19-25 November 1999. "Opposition: La Guerre des Chefs." http://tempsdumaroc.press.ma/hebdomadaire/1999/19au25nov212/pol3.htm [Accessed 23 May 2000]