By Omar Bihmidine
By Omar Bihmidine
Morocco World News
Sidi Ifni, December 3, 2012
In an attempt to draw the current government’s attention to its shortcomings, Hamid Chabat, Sectary General of the Istiqlal party, warned against the possibility of social tensions in the coming months. Last Thursday, during an interview with Medi1 TV, Chabat stressed that the current, deplorable purchasing power of the Moroccan masses is a clear sign that Moroccans are discontented with their social lives.
Being part and parcel of the coalition government, Hamid Chabat castigated the ‘so-called’ bold decision made by the Islamist-led government of increasing fuel prices.
“If Abdelilah Benkirane’s government happens to raise electricity and water consumption prices as has recently been intended, Moroccans will face more serious financial problems,” Chabat said on Medi1 TV.
In the same vein, Chabat went on to blame the current government for not silencing the anger of strikers in both the transport and health sectors. Meanwhile, he suggested that the government must provide immediate, concrete solutions to put an end to further strikes.
Representing the Istiqlal Party, Chabat added that “At the very least, Abass Elfassi’s government initiated remarkable salary rises in 2011, whereas the current government has broken several promises, chief of which is easing the tight social lives of the poor”.
Towards the end of the interview, Chabat pointed out that his approach to bettering Moroccans’ lives is totally different from that of Benkirane. While Chabat believes that the standards of living of the poor must be improved, Abdelilah Benkirane’s policy is that the rich must pay taxes for the purpose of redressing the balance and attaining more social justice.
