King highlights need to enhance political parties' role
Morocco, Politics, 10/9/2004

King Mohammed VI of Morocco, on Friday, highlighted the need to enhance the role of political parties, a move, he explained, would help tackle major issues confronting the Moroccan society.

In a speech at the opening of the fall Parliament session after recess, the monarch deemed it appropriate to focus on the need to enhance the role of political parties, "by establishing a renovated and effective legal framework; one that would enable political parties to draw their juridical legality from their democratic legitimacy."

This, he explained, should foster the creation of parties "likely to offer specific, original, collective answers to major issues confronting our society, instead of seeking to fulfil personal ambitions or accommodate narrow interests."

He urged the political parties to "fulfil their basic role with respect to sensitising and leading people, preparing qualified elites to run public affairs and to take up the crucial challenge of achieving sustainable development, in a civilized, truly democratic way."

Among the main issues to be discussed by the Parliament during this third legislative year, there is the long awaited and controversial draft bill on political parties.

This bill, the monarch said, "should make it possible to rationalize, renovate and protect the national political landscape. It is also likely to induce like-minded political parties to unite and form strong blocs."

"It reflects my desire to further enhance institutional modernization efforts, and to make sure effective political polarization is not impaired by an unbridled multiparty system."

The monarch expects this bill, prior to the next general elections set for 2007, to "give us a clear political map, making it possible, in the light of election results, to give a parliamentary majority - which has homogeneous programmes and polarity - a mandate to govern the country, while the minority plays a constructive role in the opposition, and its rights are strictly observed. "

He, however, noted that once approved, this "fundamental law will not be complete unless it is supported by a programme contract designed to achieve full upgrading of the political and information landscape. The state would be party to such a programme and provide the relevant institutions and actors concerned with the means of action required, taking into account their respective clout as well as their representativeness in parliament, as determined by a suitable and effective voting system."

Similarly, he went on, the creation of political parties as well as their programmes, financing, management and internal regulations must all be in keeping with the requirements of democracy and transparency, consistent with the rule of law, and subject to judicial control.

Describing it as a "landmark in our endeavours to forge ahead with the democratic transition," the monarch said this bill calls for the revamping of parliamentary action, by moving from purely classic representation to modern parliamentary government; hence the need for a committed form of parliamentary action that serves public interest, rejects sterile politicking and strives, instead, to promote fruitful partnerships with state agencies as well as the private sector."

King Mohammed VI also urged the political parties to contribute, "through a more open, effective parliamentary diplomacy, to enhancing Morocco's influence abroad and to defending the nation's interests."

Fearing that "the enemies of democracy may well use the liberties afforded by democracy to destroy it, taking unfair advantage of the poverty and frustration of destitute people," King Mohammed VI said he was keen to ensuring that the modernization of the political landscape - with all it has achieved as regards the consolidation of the rule of law and of the institution-based state - is backed up by structural reforms to give fresh impetus to the modernization and upgrading of the economy, and to enhancing social solidarity." (MAP)MK

Previous Stories:
  Moroccan official stresses democracy is remedy to terrorism   (4/23/2004)
  Morocco to launch TV channel for parliament, and another from Laayoune   (4/4/2003)
  King: Credible institutions essential for reconciling citizens with elected bodies   (8/1/2002)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search