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Rabat – Morocco’s House of Representatives endorsed the 2026 Finance Bill today in a second reading, securing 80 votes in favor and 25 against.
The adoption confirms the version previously approved by the House of Councillors, concluding the legislative process for next year’s budget.
The vote took place during a plenary session attended by 105 members, with no abstentions recorded.
Earlier today, the Finance and Economic Development Committee also validated the bill in a second reading. Seventeen members supported the text, eight abstained and none opposed it.
The committee’s vote confirmed the amendments introduced by the upper house. During the discussion, Minister Delegate for the Budget Fouzi Lekjaa presented the adjustments added by the House of Councillors, noting that some were adopted by majority vote while those aimed at aligning the bill with existing legislation received unanimous backing.
The House of Councillors adopted the Finance Bill on Thursday in a plenary session, with 36 votes in favor, 12 against and 6 abstentions.
The first section had been endorsed earlier with 38 votes for, while the second part was approved later the same day.
Several opposition groups, including union-affiliated representatives, renewed efforts to push amendments. Lekjaa reiterated the government’s refusal of proposals previously rejected during committee review.
Among the fiscal adjustments accepted by the government were proposals put forward by the majority, the General Union of Moroccan Workers (UGTM) and the CGEM.
The adopted measures include raising the allowable deduction for donations made to sports corporations, whether in cash or in kind, from 10% to 20%, limited to MAD 5 million per fiscal year.
The government also agreed to expand the scope of withholding at source for corporate tax and VAT. The mechanism will be introduced gradually, supported by transitional provisions for 2026 and 2027.
Lawmakers approved the creation of a special allocation account entitled “Fund for Managing the Financial Interests of Local Authorities.”
The fund is designed to accompany the restructuring of local taxation, particularly the transfer of assessment and collection responsibilities from the Treasury to the General Directorate of Taxes and municipal receivers.
The distribution of budgeted positions prompted debate, as several councillors sought increases in specific sectors.
Lekjaa explained that allocations are determined according to a detailed assessment of needs and projected retirements for this year and the next.
He noted that security, health, and education remain the government’s priority areas for new recruitments, describing security as essential for national stability and development.
