Moroccan parties hail decision to lower voting age to 18

Several Moroccan parties hailed the Royal decision to lower voting age to 18 instead of 20, in force until now in the Kingdom.

The decision was announced last Tuesday by King Mohammed VI in a speech he made at the appointment of the Wali Diwan Al Madhalim (Ombusdman) and the President and Secretary General the Human Rights Consultative Council.

In a communique, the Socialist Union of Popular Forces (USFP), party of former premier Abderrahmane Youssoufi, with eight portfolios in the current government, said "the decision will encourage Moroccan youth to take part in the political life, and will open up new promising perspectives for them."

Opposition party, Constitutional Union (UC), expressed "high appreciation" of the decision to lower voting age to 18 instead of 20.

The party voiced "adherence to the consolidation and preservation of human rights in the country."

For government Progress and Socialism Party (PPS), which expressed "deep satisfaction," said the move "lives up to the expectations of political parties, youth and human rights organizations."

"It also matches Moroccan youths' aspirations to adhere to the edification of a new Morocco," added PPS in press release.