By Morocco News Agency Staff
Rabat, Morocco — January 18, 2012 … The new Benkirane government in Morocco is moving prudently towards assuming power. Formally, the government still has to await the vote of confidence for the government and its programs by the House of Representatives. In the interim, ministers are studying their new fields of action without permission to engage in actual decision making.
Almost all the new ministers in Morocco are in the process of learning their new roles. They conduct meetings with all of their secretariats and senior staff, as well as directors of central and regional services.
Benkirane and his ministers await the vote of confidence by the House of Representatives before assuming executive control of their respective ministries and their dependents.
On January 17, the Benkirane government in its capacity of the Moroccan Cabinet Council (since the government is yet to be formally ratified by a vote of confidence) made a major step toward this vote with the adoption of the government program – the key document defining the vision and plans of government which has to be presented to the House of Representatives before the vote of confidence.
The cabinet discussed in detail the draft version which is about 70 pages in length. The document was authored by the interdepartmental committee in charge of the government program that was chaired by the Minister of State Abdullah Baha.
While there was a general agreement on the overall vision of the new government in Morocco, there were discussions about the politically expedient way to present the government program. Ministers argued about what should be the overall tone of the government statement. Some ministers called for a statement of optimism, while others stressed the need to present a realistic program.
Ultimately, Benkirane resolved that the realistic approach should be adopted. Mohamed Najib Boulif, the Minister of General Affairs and Governance, subsequently noted that the government decided to present a realistic work program for the next five years. He stressed that this program will focus on priorities and policy. At the end of the meeting, the Moroccan Cabinet Council adopted the draft government program.
Mohamed Najib Boulif explained that “the government’s program is based on five pillars.” These pillars consist of deepening national identity and to ensure coherence and diversity of its components with openness to other cultures and civilizations.
The second pillar aims to focus the rule of law, the advancement of regionalization and governance, while ensuring the dignity and freedoms based on citizenship in Morocco.
The third pillar seeks to produce conditions for a strong, competitive economy and the creation of jobs and new employment opportunities.
The fourth pillar strengthens national sovereignty and influence in Morocco.
The fifth pillar installs a new social pact which establishes solidarity between the layers, generations and regions. It guarantees all Moroccans access to basic social services.
On the evening on January 17, the Benkirane de-facto government decided the date of presentation of the program and the government in Parliament for formal approval and the vote of confidence. The government statement will be presented at Parliament at 11am on January 19.
Parliament will hold a plenary session to hear the government statement which will be presented by Prime Minister Benkirane. Subsequently, the government program and the cabinet membership will be submitted to a vote of confidence at the lower House. All indications are that the House of Representatives will then endorse the new government and its program with a large majority.
