Negotiations over the Formation of the New government: End of the Suspense?

New York – The “disagreement” between the PJD and the Istiqlal party over the Equipment and Transportation portfolio might have reached an end, paving the way for the announcement of the much-anticipated list of members of the new government.

Right after the Council of Ministers held a meeting on Wednesday morning in Rabat, Abass el Fassi told the press that “negotiations regarding the formation of the new government are going smoothly,” pointing out that there are still “some details that need to be finalized.” He went on to say that the new government “will be announced within two to three days.”

For his part, Abdelilah Benkirane, Prime Minister-designate said that the negotiations are nearing their end, adding that the new government will be unveiled within a few days. “Things are going well and we have no disagreement with the Istiqlal party,” he was quoted by the daily Al Massae as saying.

Sources well-acquainted with the negotiations between the two main parties of the coalition said that Abass el Fassi has given up on his claims to see the Ministry of Equipment and Transportation headed by a member of his party.

Mohammed Al-Khalifa, member of the Executive Committee of the Istiqlal Party, virulently criticized Abass el Fassi, saying that the latter has caved in to pressure from influential lobbies within his party. He pointed out that these lobbies pushed Abass el Fassi to be adamant regarding the portfolios that his party should be entrusted with.

He went on to say, in this regard, that the reason behind the disagreement between the PJD and the Istiqlal over the Ministry of Equipment and Transportation, was that Karim Ghellab required Abass el Fassi to strive in order for the portfolio of Equipment and Transportation to be attributed to Hicham Nahmoucha.

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