Morocco's political leaders voice readiness to positively answer to king's will
Morocco, Politics, 10/4/2002

Heads of political parties who were received on Wednesday by King Mohammed VI in Marrakesh said they were ready to answer positively to the sovereign's will.

During the audiences, King Mohammed VI stressed the importance of the role incumbent on political parties in the nation's political life in accordance with the constitution and with the requirements of popular free expression and within the respect of all Moroccan citizens' choice.

The king equally underlined the historic significance of the September 27 polls through which Morocco won a great victory. Our country therefore, definitively places itself in democratic normality and regular functioning of all its institutions, the sovereign said.

King Mohammed VI congratulated each of the political parties for the success of the elections and stressed the paramount necessity for Morocco to build a lasting and sustainable economic and social development marked by solidarity and to which the Moroccan people aspires.

The sovereign received successively Abderrahmane Youssoufi, First Secretary of the Socialist Union of Popular Forces (USFP). "It is natural that the public opinion expects developments to the process which usually takes place after the polls, but the major and first initiative rests with the King who appoints the prime minister. When the sovereign appoints a prime minister, then the Moroccan people will know what stages come next," said Youssoufi.

The issue of alliances (between political parties to form the upcoming government), he said, is premature as we are now analyzing results, studying the political map and waiting for the royal initiative.

The leader of the RNI, Ahmed Osmane, said "H.M. the king honored us with this audience and congratulated us on the good unfolding of polling. We have expressed our confidence in the future of Morocco. We congratulated HM the King in this important stage of his reign and of his experience as a king of a country which is evolving concretely."

"We have obtained fairly good results. Today, we will start consultations with some political parties. There will certainly be consultations and alliances to set up a government and define the coming parliamentary map," he said.

"We are ready and qualified to participate in the government," he stressed.

The MNP leader, Mohand Laenser, said "HM the King honored us with this audience and congratulated us on the good unfolding of elections. We have renewed to the sovereign our entire readiness to contribute to settling problems facing Morocco."

Mahjoubi Aherdane, leader of the MP, says "HM the King honored us with the audience. We expressed ourselves freely. The MP and the MNP have henceforth become a single movement ready and mobilized behind HM the King. The final decision rests with the sovereign."

The PJD Assistant Secretary General who considered that elections were a victory for Morocco and a positive step forward, said he is convinced that His Majesty the King's instructions were behind such a performance to which the Moroccan people contributed.

"Elections improved the image of Morocco and this is a challenge we want to win and a step forward in the democratic and reforms process," he said, before stressing that his party reflects the will of a large category of the Moroccan people, and as such, expresses their aspirations, concerns and worries for the construction of a country enjoying the values of authenticity, sovereignty, democracy, justice and development.

"Those are the foundations on which we based our program and that we will be endeavoring to conduct for a better Morocco. Moroccans who boast enormous abilities and potentials deserve that their country improves," he said.

"The issue of alliances is too premature now," Othmani said says, adding "we are waiting for data on the prime minister, the government's first line-up, its program, priorities and work plan. Then, the party's competent bodies will make a decision."

"His Majesty has said much work awaits us. The Party for Justice and Development is mobilized to work in the interest of the country and to start genuine reforms, based on the five priorities set in the party's electoral program: authenticity, sovereignty- that is preserving Morocco's sovereignty and independence, democracy --developing the democratic process and extending public freedoms, justice --reducing gaps between regions, social layers and classes and achieving a minimum of social justice, and lastly leading Morocco to a better future."

"We had said that we exclude participation in a government led by the USFP. Our participation in a government led by the Istiqlal party depends on final date. It is impossible to set up a government without a program, priorities and work plan. These issues should be made clear and studied," he said.

Out of the 26 parties that run for elections, four parties won between 41 and 50 seats each, a score that gives neither one majority that would enable it to set up a government on its own.

Previous Stories:
  King Mohammed receives political parties leaders   (10/3/2002)
  Interior minister proclaims final results of legislative poll (reopens)   (10/2/2002)
  Moroccan democracy, the winner of Friday's polls, minister   (9/30/2002)

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