King Hassan's determination for change gave us courage, said Youssoufi
Morocco, Politics, 6/25/1998

King Hassan II's determination to ensure change "encouraged us to accept alternation", Moroccan Prime Minister Abderrahmane Youssoufi told French "Liberation" daily on Wednesday.

The socialist Prime minister said his party agreed to embark on the new experience in view of "the failure of the educational sector, the impasse in which the youth lives and the investments which no longer arrive...."

"These elements heralded a serious situation that should be averted," said Youssoufi, who leads a center-left coalition government, made up of seven political parties, Map reported.

Touching on the complex character of the government, Youssoufi said, "We did not want such a government and would have preferred clearer results by the polls... We had to accept to do with what we have".

This situation gave rise to a 7-party government with 40 ministers. "We would have preferred a government of 18 to 20 ministers," he said, adding that his party made it clear to its partners that "for things to work, we need one predominating party, particularly in matters of management."

"For the rest, we made a subtle and balanced dosage," he said.

Asked whether future elections will be free of manipulation, Youssoufi recalled the commitment made "to improve the universal suffrage expression."

"We identified the problems. We will revise the electoral law," he said. Youssoufi renewed will to endeavor for the promotion of human rights and the reform of the justice system.

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