On 31 May, Prime Minister Abdelilah Benkirane addressed a
largely empty Lower House of Parliament during his monthly
question-time. The main opposition parties – the RNI, PAM,
USFP and the UC – had decided to boycott the session in protest against
the way in which it has been managed. In essence, the opposition feels
that it has insufficient time to raise issues of importance.
During the May question-time, Benkirane was his usual
paternalist self, attempting to soften the blow represented by cutbacks
in the investment budget by saying that these were “sad
measures, but in the interest of the people”; he added a few words
addressing the “the poor of the cities and countryside” saying that
“our heart is with you”. However, reforms in the subsidy
system, retirement pensions, the tax system and justice will
go forward, he stressed.
Benkirane compared managing a country to being in the same
situation as a “family head building a house: delaying construction
works does not mean stopping them. If things are not done this
year, they will be next year”.
For more news and expert analysis about Morocco, please see Morocco Politics & Security.
© 2013 Menas Associates
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