The King of Morocco, Mohammed VI, accompanied by Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan and Prince Moulay Rachid, addressed Parliament on Friday on the occasion of the opening of the first session of the first legislative year of the 11th legislature.
At the start of this first parliamentary session of the new legislature, the Moroccan monarch set out the political and economic lines to be followed so that Morocco can continue on the road to recovery from the severe blow suffered by the coronavirus pandemic, once the legislative elections were held and the new government headed by Aziz Akhannouch, who was entrusted by Mohammed VI to lead the new Moroccan government that emerged from the ballot box, was formed.
The King highlighted the great organisation and the good atmosphere in the last electoral process, which for the first time in history combined local, regional and legislative elections simultaneously, which was a challenge for the Moroccan state that it ended up successfully meeting, even before the eyes of international observers who certified the good institutional and democratic functioning of Morocco in this case.
Mohammed VI also highlighted the good level of participation, especially in the so-called Southern Provinces, around the important region of Western Sahara, an area for which the Kingdom is proposing a formula of broad autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty within the framework of the United Nations. This initiative has the international support of important countries such as the United States and the United Arab Emirates, with a view to putting an end to the Saharawi dispute.
"These elections have consecrated the victory of Morocco's democratic orientation, as well as the natural alternation in the management of public affairs. What matters most is not the victory of this or that political party, because for us they are all equal", said the King in a speech echoed by the official Moroccan news agency MAP, just after the last elections left a new government led by Aziz Akhannouch, which puts an end to a decade of rule by the Islamist Justice and Development Party. Mohammed VI also wished to "congratulate the members of parliament", "extending these congratulations to all those elected, for the trust you have earned".
Mohammed VI stressed the importance of this new legislature in the face of another stage that requires the efforts of all to fulfil the "strategic priorities" in order to "continue the march of development, facing external challenges".
The Alaouite monarch insisted on "three main dimensions, headed by the strengthening of Morocco's position and the defence of its supreme interests, particularly at a time fraught with multiple challenges, dangers and threats".
The Alaouite monarch stressed that the COVID-19 health crisis has made it necessary to put Moroccan sovereignty issues first, forcing Morocco to make great efforts to confront the pandemic and protect sectors such as health, energy, industry and food from its effects.
"Morocco has managed to manage its needs and supply its markets with basic commodities in sufficient quantities and in a normal manner, while noting that many countries have experienced great difficulties in obtaining and distributing these products," said the Moroccan king, who also indicated that Morocco is insisting "on the creation of an integrated national system related to the strategic reserve of basic products, particularly food, health and energy, working to constantly update national needs, in order to strengthen the country's strategic security.
As for the second dimension referred to by the Alaouite monarch, he stressed in his speech the current pandemic situation in relation to the work being done to revive the national economy. Mohammed VI, during his speech to parliament, broadcast by the MAP agency, indicated that "many achievements have been made in the fields of protection of citizens and support for the sectors and categories affected".
"The state has fulfilled its duty to provide free vaccines, for which it has paid billions, as well as to provide all the necessary elements, in order to alleviate the difficulties resulting from this stage for the citizen," added Mohamed VI.
However, he went on to call on each citizen to fulfil their responsibility to protect themselves and their families, through vaccination and the use of preventive measures, while respecting the measures planned by the public authorities.
The head of the North African country indicated that the Moroccan economy is undergoing a "palpable" recovery, despite the harsh effects of the pandemic and the economic recession that has hit the world. In this way, Mohamed VI announced that Morocco is expected to reach a growth rate of over 5.5% by 2021, which would be one of the highest rates in the Maghreb and on the African continent.
He also highlighted the boom in the agricultural sector and the growth of various sectors such as the automotive, textile, electronic and electrical industries.
As an example of the reliability of the Moroccan economy, the Alaoui king pointed out that the growth of direct foreign investment has reached 16% and that the increase in remittances from Moroccans living abroad has reached 46%. In addition, Morocco has managed to maintain the inflation rate at around 1%, well below other percentages seen in other countries on the continent.
Mohammed VI also indicated that "the State will continue with this national effort, especially through public investment and support and encouragement for businesses".
Despite the good data on recovery, Mohammed VI urged everyone to "continue working, with total responsibility and high patriotism, far from pessimism and negative speeches".
The third dimension outlined has to do with "the effective implementation of the development model and the launch of an integrated set of projects and reforms of the latest generation", as Mohammed VI emphasised in his speech. "We hope that this term of office will be the starting point for this ambitious, proactive process, which embodies the collective intelligence of the Moroccan people. In this context, it should be recalled that the development model is not a development plan in the strict classical sense, but rather constitutes a general, open framework that establishes new guidelines and opens up broad horizons for all," said Mohammed VI, who stressed that the 'National Pact for Development' is a valuable element for the implementation of the development plan proposed with the "national commitment" of all.
In this scenario, the North African monarch pointed out that it is the responsibility of the new government "to establish, during its mandate, the priorities and projects, as well as the mobilisation of the means necessary for their financing, within the framework of the implementation" of the development model.
The Moroccan King also indicated that the Executive "must finalise the implementation of the major projects launched, notably the generalisation of social protection".
Finally, Mohammed VI urged the government, the parliament and the other institutions to take responsibility for the success of this new legislative stage within a framework of "responsible commitment" on the part of all.
Full text of the speech delivered by the King of Morocco, Mohammed VI, to Parliament:
"Praise be to God,
May peace and blessings be upon the Prophet, His Kith and Kin
Ladies and Gentlemen, Distinguished Members of Parliament,
It gives me great pleasure to declare open this first session of the new legislative term.
I should like to avail myself of this opportunity, afforded by the Constitution, to congratulate you, Members of Parliament and also, through you, all elected officials for the trust placed in you. I pray that, together with the new government, you all succeed in your mission.
I wish, in this regard, to commend the good organization and positive atmosphere in which the recent elections took place, and say how pleased I am with the high voter turnout in these elections, particularly in our southern provinces.
The recent elections have confirmed the preeminence of the Moroccan democratic model as well as the principle of rotation in managing state affairs. What matters most is not the victory of this or that party because, as far as I am concerned, all parties are equal.
This new legislative term starts at a time when Morocco is embarking on a new phase which requires concerted efforts centered on strategic priorities in order to carry on with the mission of promoting development while facing up to external challenges.
I wish to emphasize three main dimensions in this regard.
There is, first and foremost, the consolidation of Morocco's status and the defense of its best interests in an environment fraught with challenges, perils and threats.
The Covid-19 crisis has shown that sovereignty issues are, once again, front and center. Each country is striving to preserve sovereignty in various domains, be it in relation to health, energy, industry, food or other sectors. This situation has led to manifestations of intolerance on the part of some actors.
Whereas Morocco managed to meet its needs and supply markets with basic goods regularly and in sufficient quantities, many countries have grappled with major disruptions in the provision and distribution of these goods.
I therefore insist on the need to set up an integrated national system to manage the strategic reserve stock of essential goods and products, especially in the areas of food, health and energy. In this regard, our national needs should be regularly updated in order to enhance the country’s strategic security.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The second dimension concerns the management of the pandemic crisis and the continued efforts to revive the economy.
We have, by the grace of the Almighty, achieved a great deal in terms of protecting public health and providing support to the sectors and populations affected by the crisis.
The state has met its obligations, supplying vaccines - on which it spent billions - free of charge. It has also provided all other necessities in order to mitigate the impact of the crisis on citizens.
However, the state should not be held responsible if the citizens fail to protect themselves and their families through vaccination, the use of protective means and compliance with the measures taken by the public authorities concerned.
On a different level, the national economy is clearly recovering, despite the unprecedented repercussions of this crisis and the contraction of the global economy.
Thanks to the measures I launched, the growth rate is expected to exceed 5.5% in 2021 - a rate which we have not seen in many years and which is among the highest at regional and continental levels.
During the current year, the agricultural sector is set to achieve remarkable growth - an increase of more than 17% - thanks to efforts to modernize the sector and also thanks to this year’s good harvest.
There has also been a noticeable increase in exports in a number of sectors, such as the automobile, textile, electronic and electric industries.
Despite the repercussions of the crisis, trust in our country and in the vibrancy of our economy has remained unchanged, as illustrated by the increase - up to August of this year - in foreign direct investments and in the remittances from Moroccans residing abroad, which have risen by approximately 16% and 46% respectively.
These developments have enabled Morocco to have comfortable hard currency reserves.
Despite the difficulties and the fluctuations in global markets, the inflation rate has been kept under control - at 1% - which is significantly lower than the high inflation rates seen in a number of countries in the region.
All of these are indicators which thankfully call for optimism and hope, thereby boosting not only confidence among citizens and families, but also the entrepreneurial spirit among economic actors and investors.
The state, for its part, will carry on with this national effort, especially through public investment as well as support measures and incentives for businesses.
Despite the positive environment, we should remain realistic and continue to work in a responsible manner and with a keen sense of patriotism, avoiding any pessimism or negative discourse.
As for the third dimension, it concerns the actual implementation of the development model, and the launch of an integrated set of next-generation projects and reforms.
I hope this legislative term will be the starting point for this proactive, ambitious plan, which reflects Moroccans’ collective genius.
We should keep in mind, in this regard, that the development model is not a blueprint for development in the traditional, rigid sense of the term. Rather, it is a general framework which is conducive to action, which sets out new standards and which opens up vast horizons for everyone.
The "National Development Charter" is an important mechanism for the implementation of the development model, in the sense that it involves national obligations before the King and the Moroccan people.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The development model opens up vast prospects for the work of the government and of parliament – all components included.
The new government is responsible for setting priorities and developing projects during its mandate, in addition to raising the necessary means to finance these projects, within the overall framework for implementing the development model.
The government is also expected to complete the implementation of the major projects started, especially that of achieving universal access to social protection, which I care deeply about.
In this regard, the main challenge is to achieve a real overhaul of the health system, in accordance with the best standards, making sure the public and private sectors complement each other.
The same logic should be applied in the reform of public institutions as well as in the overhaul and reform of the tax system, an objective that should be achieved as soon as possible, using a new charter that promotes investment.
At the same time, there must be greater coordination, harmony and synergy between public policies and follow-up to implementation.
For this purpose, I call for an in-depth reform of the High Commission for Planning to turn it into a mechanism that assists in the strategic coordination of development policies and ensures follow-up to the implementation of the development model, using, in the process, precise criteria and modern follow-up and evaluation methods.
Distinguished Members of Parliament,
This legislative term comes at a promising time for the achievement of further progress in our country.
As members of the government and of parliament - whether you belong to the ruling majority or the opposition - you are responsible, along with all national institutions and forces, for the success of the current phase. You are therefore expected to show a spirit of entrepreneurship and responsible commitment.
With that in mind, I call upon you to take on this immense national responsibility, since the task of representing the citizens and managing public affairs at the local, regional and national levels is a sacred mission for all of us.
Almighty God says : "But he who works deeds of righteousness, and has faith, will have no fear of harm nor of any curtailment (of what is his due)." True is the Word of God.
"Wassalamu alaikum warahmatullah wabarakatuh."
