Morocco determined to consolidate local democracy

The Moroccan government said it was determined to consolidate local democracy and decentralization as a means of social and economic development.

This came in a presentation on Thursday by Moroccan Premier Driss Jettou before the Chamber of Advisors (upper house of parliament).

The Prime Minister recalled the reforms brought to the communal charter of 1976 and status of provincial and prefectoral assemblies of 1963, reforms adopted by the previous parliament during its last session.

These reforms, Jettou said, are likely to develop the democratic practice, enhance the role of the local elected representatives in the management of local affairs and achieve social, economic and cultural development.

The Prime Minister outlined the new political choices made by Morocco, particularly with regard reconsidering the repartition of prerogatives between the State and the local councils and the promotion of decentralization.

Jettou equally surveyed measures contemplated in matters of local development, including the revision of local taxation in a bid to spur investments and pave the way for economic take off. This action, he said, will be comforted by increasing tax receipts, which represents local council's major income, improving the efficiency of administration and struggling against geographical imbalances and social disparities.

Part of the drives to shore up local democracy, the government will endeavour for the consolidation of the regions' prerogatives in such a way to help them assume their tasks particularly in terms of investment promotion and space management.