In a speech to the parliament on Monday, Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch put the spotlight on the strong performances of key Moroccan sectors such as tourism to defend his cabinet.
Akhannouch reported tourism revenues of MAD 87.1 billion by the end of September, saying that this marks an 8.4% year on year increase and an approximately 44.7% rise compared to the same period in 2019.
He said the number of tourists visiting Morocco continued to rise, reaching record levels with over 14.5 million tourists in 2023.
The country saw a total of 13.1 million tourist arrivals by the end of September 2024, an increase of 2 million compared to the same period in 2023, and 29% higher than in 2019, he detailed.
Akhannouch’s defense comes amid growing public discontent over soaring commodity prices, especially red meat.
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The Head of Government also received fierce criticism from opposition parties, including former Head of Government and current Justice and Development Party (PJD) leader Abdelilah Benkirane.
Benkirane addressed Akhannouch directly, saying: “You initially clashed with the education sector personnel, yet ended up conceding to their demands by adding MAD 1,500 to their wages… but simultaneously attempted to punish some of them.”
The PJD leader continued, “Why is that? There was no need for disciplinary measures if you reconciled. This pattern now repeats with medical students,” he said in July, referencing teachers’ former protests.
This criticism is further compounded by reports documenting alarming issues across different sectors, from health and education to employment.
Moroccan medical students have been boycotting classes and exams after the government announced new reforms that entailed reducing the duration of medical studies from seven to six years.
On Sunday, the Independent Union of Public Sector Doctors issued a statement announcing a nationwide strike.
Citing “empty promises” from the government, the doctors argue that new healthcare measures erode their long-standing achievements in the field and foster instability.
A report from Morocco’s High Commission for Planning (HCP) also shared alarming data, noting that the unemployment rate climbed to 13.6% in the third quarter of this year.
The rate edged up from 13.5% to 13.6% year on year, with rural areas and urban areas both affected.
The number of unemployed rose by 58,000 to reach 1.6 million people without a job.
