A Reshuffle of Benkirane’s government?

Morocco World News with Maghreb Intelligence

Rabat, August 4, 2012

Their names are cited more often in the informal settings in Rabat. These are the ministers of Abdelilah Benkirane’s government who could soon pay the costs of a mini-reshuffle. If no reliable information on a reshuffle of the government team is circulating in the Moroccan political landscape, several names are beginning to unanimously unite people against them within the PJD. “We need an urgent repair of the casting errors committed during the formation of the government nine months ago,” said the chief of cabinet of a minister from Benkirane’s team.

The Names that are often cited are those of the Minister of Relations with Parliament and Civil Society, Lahbib Choubani, who has multiplied the blunders and began to turn all the Moroccan civil society organizations against him. In the hit parade of outgoing ministers, there is also the name of Boulif Najib, Minister of General Affairs. He was a big disappointment on important economic issues. There are rumors that the government of ‘Abdelilah Benkirane itself is highly upset by the low profile of cases handled by the Minister that the PJD presented as the linchpin of the Benkirane team.

The other minister who could pay the cost of a possible reshuffle is the youngest of the team, Mustapha El Khalfi. The holder of the Department of Communication showed a frivolity that has irritated many. In the upper spheres of the state, there is a will to find a replacement that would be able to carry out the task of reform of public broadcasting in good agreement with industry professionals and with not clash.

According to informed sources in Rabat, if a reshuffle was to take place, it would not happen before the end of the year or early 2013. One way to allow time for the “lame ducks” to show that they can walk properly.