The throne is keystone of the system in Morocco, Youssoufi
Morocco, Politics, 1/25/2002

The throne constitutes the keystone of the system in Morocco and this system does not pose any constitutional problem, said Moroccan Prime Minister, Abderrahmane Youssoufi.

In an interview published this Friday by French daily Le Monde, Youssoufi said the throne constitutes the keystone of the system in Morocco and insisted that "there is no competition between the monarchy and the government."

This system does not pose any problem as nobody questions it, Youssoufi said.

To a question on the coming legislative elections -scheduled for the autumn of this year--, Youssoufi said "for the first time in Morocco, the government will organize transparent elections." "this will undoubtedly be the major gain of this democratic transition," he said.

"We shall lead the Moroccan people to trust the polls and to mobilize so that the majority stemming from this poll be considered as empowered by a popular mandate to carry on this experience," The Prime Minister said.

He stated further that he backs the list voting system "to rehabilitate political parties and fight manipulations." "I insisted personally so that the list voting system be adopted. This is most probably the system that will be adopted this time," Youssoufi said.

Touching on the balance sheet of the alternation government, Youssoufi said the alternation government-- that brought to power in 1998 center-left parties after decades of right-wing rule-- had to face a difficult juncture and four consecutive years of drought. Nevertheless, he argued, inflation was curbed to less than 1 percent and growth rate reached 6.5 percent in 2001.

He added that he is most worried by the unemployment problem which can only be settled by a strong growth, which in turn requires strong investments, both national and foreign.

Youssoufi went on to say that he is concerned by three other issues, namely ensuring medical coverage to all, generalizing schooling and reforming the audio-visual sector so that information becomes more independent.

Youssoufi also told the French daily that he will withdraw from politics after the coming elections but that he will remain at the head of his party, the Socialist Union of Popular Forces (USFP), until the coming congress scheduled for 2003.

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