PJD: Protests in Morocco Stem From Failures of Government Performance

Rabat – The Justice and Development Party (PJD) has again pointed out the government’s performance, blaming it for the recent protests that turned chaotic due to vandalism and riots.

PJD’s new statement followed an emergency meeting that the party’s secretariat held on Tuesday night.

In a statement following the meeting, the party said the government is fully responsible for the protests due to its “failures and serious shortcomings.”

“In this regard, it recalls the party’s repeated warnings throughout the four years of this government’s mandate- through statements, conferences and political activities, about the severe dysfunctions in vital sectors,” the statement said.

The PJD  cited several dysfunctions, including social and regional disparities and a lack of fairness in urban development and infrastructure disruption.

It also accused the government of failing to deliver on promises to prioritize employment and promotion of cultural policies designed for youth.

“Other failures include the misuse of influence for personal and partisan gain, tailor-made financial and tax legislation serving narrow interests, entrenching rentier practices and conflicts of interest in public investment and contracting, halting anti-corruption initiatives by suspending laws and government committees,” PJD said.

For PJD, the government is fully responsible for the situation, accusing it of weakness, incapacity, and silence.

In response to vandalism that overshadows the peaceful protests that took place this weekend in Morocco, PJD called on the country’s youth to abide by the law and exercise their rights and freedoms responsibly.

“Rights must be accompanied by duties, which require avoiding violence, preserving the peaceful nature of demonstrations, respecting public and private property, and ensuring the normal functioning of services,” the statement said.

PJD also recalled its leader Adelilah Benkirane’s Saturday appeals, urging for the halt of protests in light of recent developments.

The press statement emphasized that the protesters’ message “has been delivered and reached its maximum impact, and that a political solution will be pursued through the relevant constitutional institutions.”