Morocco’s governing National Rally of Independents (RNI) has moved a step closer to nominating a new party leader, with Mohamed Chouki formally emerging as the only candidate who can succeed Aziz Akhannouch as the head of the party. In a statement issued after its political bureau meeting in Rabat on Wednesday, the RNI said that the nomination period for the party presidency had closed and that it had received only one nomination: that of Mohamed Chouki. The announcement effectively positions Chouki as Akhannouch’s successor, pending approval by party delegates. Akhannouch, who chaired the meeting in his capacity as party president, has led the RNI through its rise to power and currently serves as Morocco’s head of government. He is stepping down after serving two terms, having caught Morocco’s political elite off guard ten days ago by announcing he would not seek a third.