New government includes twenty two newcomers
Morocco, Politics, 11/8/2002

The government appointed on Thursday by King Mohammed VI comprises 22 newcomers, including two women, while the remaining 16 members were part of the former government.

The government, led by Driss Jettou who was appointed last October 9 following the legislative elections of September 27, is composed of six political parties: eight ministers from the Socialist Union of Popular Forces (USFP/ 50 seats in House of Representatives), eight ministers from the Istiqlal Party (PI/ 48 seats), six from the National Rally of Independents (RNI/41 seats), three from the popular movement (MP/27 seats), two from the Party of progress and socialism (PPS/11 seats) and two from the National Popular Movement (MNP/18 seats).

Among the 16 ministers who were part of the former government, three ministers kept their portfolio and five others have been appointed to a different department. Also, three secretaries of state in the former government were promoted to the rank of ministers delegated in the new line-up.

Only two leaders of political parties are members of this government: those are Abbas El Fassi, secretary general of the Istiqlal party, who was appointed minister of state (without portfolio) and M'hand Laenser, leader of the Popular movement who is holding the portfolio of agriculture and rural development.

Meanwhile, the government also includes six ministers who belong to the media trade. Nabil Benabdallah, communication minister and spokesman of the government, who managed his party's newspapers in Arabic and French, Mohamed El Gahs, secretary of state to the minister of national education and youth, in charge of youth, who are both newcomers.

Other ministers who come from the media profession are Mohamed El Yazghi, Mohamed Achaari, Mohamed Aujjar and Khalid Alioua. All of them served in the former government led by USFP leader, Abderrahmane Youssoufi.

King Mohammed VI who appointed the new government led by prime minister, Driss Jettou, told the new cabinet democratic legitimacy and economic performance are the cornerstones for the perfection of development, progress, justice and social coherence.

The sovereign called the government members to be united and "mobilized around a work plan that meets economic and social expectations that we have all noted Moroccan citizens are harboring and of which we have defined the four priorities." The sovereign further stressed that the government declaration that the prime minister will be making before the parliament should reflect these four priorities by adopting deep and rapidly-achievable reforms in all fields.

"It is incumbent upon you to demonstrate solidarity and to take hard decisions and not yield in to the temptation of simplistic solutions," he called the new government members. "You should keep in mind, in all circumstances and in each of your actions that regardless of the diversity of your political ideology, what is more important than anything else is our homeland, Morocco."

Moroccan prime minister, Driss Jettou, who was appointed last October 9 by King Mohammed VI in replacement of Abderrahmane Youssoufi, formally took over his position in a ceremony held this Thursday at the prime minister's office here.

Outgoing Youssoufi congratulated the new head of government and praised his dedication, seriousness and rigor. He stressed that thanks to the constant support of King Mohammed VI, the former cabinet has started major reforms and accomplished several achievements in several fields.

On his part, Jettou also lauded the figure of Youssoufi who had the honor to work with two great kings, the late king Hassan II and King Mohammed VI, praising his successful performance.

The new prime minister said he will be continuing in the same path, in accordance with the King's will to make of Morocco a modern state that is attached to its authenticity and values while being engrained with the values of democracy and social justice and enjoying a strong and open economy.

He also vowed to carry on efforts to widen freedoms and democracy and consolidate the construction of a strong state with democratic institutions that reflect popular will. Jettou further pledged to carry on efforts to build a united society where peace, social stability and the respect of citizens' dignity will prevail while endeavoring to reduce social gaps and fighting poverty, edging out and exclusion.

The prime minister further argued that developing national economy goes through consolidating the economic fabric, openness onto foreign capital, attracting investments and establishing strategic partnerships in order to improve the competitiveness of the national economy and generate jobs for the Moroccan youth.

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