Elections in Morocco, and after?

By Mahfoud Derkaoui

Kenitra, November 1, 2011

As the date of the election looms on the horizon, political parties have launched in earnest their usual campaigns with all the bright, blazing promises that one can imagine. However, and unfortunately, once the time of implementation on the ground reckons, one sees the wonder of wonders; schemes evaporate and promises become illusions, which reveal to us that ugly face of the overwhelming majority of the elected, in whom Moroccans have lost confidence, and made the latter lose confidence even in the honest, impartial politicians. Hence, the successive and endemic divorce between citizens and what relates to politics. The word “politics” for them, has become synonymous with embezzlement, fabrication, falsehood and other expressions that we do not like to hear.

What has been mentioned so far is related to the previous elections. People are hopeful that the next election will result in significant change and constitute the exception, which has been long awaited.

To some extent, the current situation in Morocco at all levels constitutes a positive exception. These elections come against the backdrop of an unprecedented popular mobilization and people’s awareness of the need for positive change to create a break away from an era of improvisation and short-sightedness in the conduct of the country and the defense of people’s interests, and usher in an era in which public service is associated with responsibility and accountability. Those who fully discharge their duties should be rewarded and commended for their service to the country and those who fail to do so should be held accountable.

What people want is to change the people whose chatter we are accustomed to, and whose effectiveness and accomplishments are scarce or absent. What we want is for incumbents to value the responsibility entrusted to them. What we hope for is to prioritize public interest over personal, selfish interest. In a nutshell, what we yearn for is realism in word and action.

Do political parties value public awareness and live up to people’s expectations? Are the programs that political parties tatter about ever implemented on the ground or do they remain dead letter? Will calls for change, made by people, find listening ears? Questions are rife and complex, and the coming months will provide answers to some of them, while the coming years will reveal the answers of other questions. Until then, let’s hope for the best.

 Translated from Arabic by Adnane Bennis.