Redesign? The political class in turmoil
SINCE the publication in the ‘‘Jeune Afrique’’ magazine of information relating to a cabinet reshuffle which is being prepared in Morocco, there has been effervescence among the staff of the political parties. However, this Parisian weekly magazine, turned monthly under the effect of the Covid pandemic, published this news in the conditional, in its “Confidential” section.
Over time, this question of the potential cabinet reshuffle is the favorite subject of public opinion, which is awaiting a change in the casting of the government team, some of whose ministers have shown their limits. Moreover, the team of the Head of Government is one of the few for which the reshuffle has been discussed since the beginning of the term in office of the ministerial cabinet in question, especially since the Moroccan political class has been accustomed to mid-term changes of government, two or two and a half years after taking office. This time, the team in command has not even completed its first year that there is talk of a major modification in its configuration. Unluckily, this topic of discussion for MPs, politicians, and the press comes during the ministers’ leave. It will be expected that many of them, on vacation in Morocco or abroad, will shorten their stays to return to Rabat and be closer to the sources. In addition, the published information cites two names of departing ministers. The first minister in question is Abdellatif Ouahbi, Minister of Justice. In case anyone has forgotten, he is the Secretary General of the PAM party (Party of Authenticity and Modernity), the second largest party in the political spectrum, which has 87 seats in the House of Representatives. If Ouahbi leaves the government, chances are his party will follow suit. In this case, Aziz Akhannouch must turn to the USFP (Socialist Union of Popular Forces) to join his government and complete the majority with 227 seats, knowing that the RNI (National Rally of Independents) has 102 seats, the Istiqlal Party 81 seats, and USFP 34 seats. The timing of this potential cabinet reshuffle issue is not trivial. If this is not a trial balloon, we will have to take things seriously. First of all, we are on the eve of the new political season which risks being marked by tensions. The trade unions are impatient to see the implementation of the measures taken within the framework of the national social dialogue. The trade unions haven’t seen it coming yet. As far as sectoral dialogue is concerned, this government is no better. The discussions to produce a new statute for teachers, promised by the Minister of National Education for the end of July, have still not led to concrete results. With the rise in product prices and the start of the school year, social tension could increase, hence the need for a change that could nourish new hopes among citizens.
In any case, for observers, given the experience of the first 10 months, in a context of health and economic crisis, with the soaring prices of raw materials and consumer prices, the need to have a political government in the truest sense of the term made itself felt. We couldn’t leave Moroccan citizens puzzled for too long, because the role of government is to anticipate and innovate. Indeed, citizens want ministers who act and who explain to the public opinion the meaning of their actions. The lesson learned here and there is simple: a political government is essential.
Mohamed CHAOUI
