Morocco's Istiqlal Party seeks membership in International Democrat Union
Morocco-Regional, Politics, 5/31/2003

The Moroccan Istiqlal Party (PI/government) has submitted an application for membership in the International Democrat Union, which will examine the request during the Union's upcoming meeting scheduled here June 4, under the chairmanship of Spain's Premier, José Maria Aznar.

Created 42 years ago as "the International Christian-Democrat," the union groups more than one hundred political parties of the centre political spectrum representing more than 80 countries from Europe, Africa, Asia and South-America and advocating "reformist and humanist" policies.

Several European Prime Ministers and party leaders are members of the International Democrat Union such as José Maria Aznar, Portugal's Premier, Durao Barroso, in his capacity as the Union's Vice-President and Italy's Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi.

If accepted, the Istiqlal Party would be the first Arab-Muslim political party to adhere to this Union.

Some Moroccan parties have memberships in other international party groupings, such as the Socialist Union of Popular Forces (USFP/government), member of the International Socialist (IS).

USFP's first secretary and former prime minister, Abderrahmane Youssoufi, is IS' Vice-President. Popular Movement (MP) and Constitutional Union (UC) parties are members of the International Liberal.

Previous Stories:
  Palestine caravan to conduct 15-day trip in Morocco   (5/30/2003)
  Morocco takes part in APU executive committee meeting   (5/21/2003)
  Moroccan minister meets Arab human rights organization's secretary general   (5/20/2003)

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