By Loubna Flah
Morocco World News
Casablanca, May 11, 2013
In an interview with the Moroccan daily AL Akhbar, Hamid CHabat, the secretary general of the Istiqlal Party revealed that the crux of the problems facing the PJD-led coalition resides not in the government, but rather in the head of the government himself, Mr. Abdelilah Benkirane.
Mr. Chabat asserted that the head of government has often disregarded the suggestions and the comprehensive action plan put forward by the IP to overcome the economic crisis in Morocco.
“Indeed, we have devised a three- fold strategy, short term, medium term and long term plan. The IP had also called for an urgent meeting to address the economic crisis and discus the possible surrogates for the government. Nevertheless, the IP suggestions were never raised during the meeting,” said Mr. Chabat.
When asked about his relation with the head of government, Mr. Chabat said that he has no personal grudge against the person of Mr. Benkirane.
“I am addressing him from his position as the head of the government, as an official in a constitutional institution,” he noted.
On the other hand, Hamid Chabat established the parallel between the PJD discourse and that of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood.
“Benkirane uses the same language as the Muslim Brotherhood. Despite the fact that the PJD is in power, Mr. Benkirane still speak about evils and crocodiles. He often talks about a ‘someone’ who impedes their work.”
Sounding a confrontational tone, Mr. Chabat said “Benkirane is to be blamed for the strained relation between the IP members and the PJD within the coalition government.”
“Benkirane works unilaterally, he never consults the majority. I am wondering whether the government is a government for Moroccans and whether it receives instructions from Egypt, Turkey, Iran or Tunisia.”
Chabat added that there is a deep antagonism between Mr. Nizar Baraka, the minister of economy and finance and Benkirane. “Whenever Mr. Baraka tries to get the country out of the crisis, Mr. Benkirane rejects his propositions.”
Chabat pinpointed also that the IP new leadership believes in power sharing within the coalition government, adding that “today, each minister works by his own whims.”
“We cannot tolerate this situation, we reached a 7 % deficit and 3% GDP, and we cannot accept that the Moroccan people pay for the government’s management deficiencies,” he concluded.
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