A key coalition member of Morocco’s Islamist-led government quit on Tuesday 10 July, dealing a blow to the administration of Prime Minister Abdelilah Benkirane.

The secular political party Istiqlal, the second-largest of four members of the coalition led by the moderate Islamist Justice and Development party (PJD), says it is pulling out based on disputes over subsidy cuts.

Benkirane now must choose whether to dissolve the government and call for early elections, or try to form new alliances to fill the empty seats.