Opposition says new government, mere continuation of old team

The Constitutional Union, UC an opposition party, said the line-up of the new government, appointed last Wednesday, is a mere continuation of the old team as it comprises ministers from the same parties that formed the precedent cabinet.

The UC secretary general, Abdellatif Semlali, criticized the government for being inactive and for only applying recommendations of the International Monetary Fund and of the World Bank.

For the Popular Movement, another opposition party, the government reshuffle brought nothing new. The party's leader, Mohand Laenser said obstacles hampering the government action have nothing to do with the number of ministers but were rather due to the parties forming the governmental coalition, to divergences, and to a poor coordination among the parties.

Laenser described as positive the arrival to the government of the Istiqlal party leader, Abbas El Fassi--appointed minister of employment, vocational training, social development and solidarity. Abbas El Fassi's participation, he said, will at least clarify the party's stance regarding the government performance after the Istiqla Party Leader had voiced "objective and constructive" criticism of the government.