By Loubna Flah
By Loubna Flah
Morocco World News
Casablanca, December 31, 2011
According to the Moroccan daily”Al Massae”, the PJD’s secretariat members have unanimously coalesced around Mr. Mustapha Ramid, the Party’s candidate to the Ministry of Justice, despite the reservations expressed by the palace over granting him a ministerial portfolio.
The members of the secretariat respectively expressed their fervent support for Ramid’s candidacy during the secretariat meeting held on Thursday. They made it clear that the palace’s reticence towards Ramid’s appointment is not ascribed to lack of competence, but mainly to the tensions that existed in the past between the PJD and some personalities close to the establishment.
Many sources considered that Mr. Ramid activism in the party has cast doubt over his illegibility to the position of minister in the upcoming government.
Sources close to the party confirmed that the palace expressed reservations not only regarding the PJD’s candidate, but also regarding other candidates from the Istiqlal Party, the Party of Progress and Socialism (PPS) and the Popular Movement (MP)
The same sources added that the head of government, Mr. Abdelilah Benkirane, informed the coalition parties, especially the IP of the royal skepticism over a number of its candidates.
Despite the difficulties it faces in forming a new government, the PJD leaders are optimistic regarding the outcome of the consultations with the king.
The formation of the government has been delayed several times first due to the disagreement between the PJD and the IP over the ministry of Equipment and Transportation and lately after the king expressed skepticism about a number of proposed names.
The PJD leadership expressed its content at the monarchy disposition to communicate with the parties and its persistence to supervise closely the formation of the up-coming government.
The portfolios distribution is expected to be as follows: 10 portfolios for the PJD, 6 portfolios for the IP and 4 portfolios for the PPS and the MP respectively.
Sources close to the PJD told Morocco World News that M. Ramid’s candidacy was not vetoed, but rather subjected to discussions that usually precede the official appointments of Ministers. The PJD’s relaxed tone suggests that its disputed “minister “is more likely to be at the helm of the ministry of justice in the outgoing government.
Moroccans who entrusted the PJD and its allies to lead the country towards brighter future may grow restless if the announcement of the new government is further delayed. Sources close to the PJD expect the appointment to be announced by Tuesday.
According to article 42 of the new constitution, the Prime Minister proposes the list of proposed Minister to the King, who has the power to veto the appointment of any proposed names.
