Aziz Akhannouch, Moroccan Head of Government and leader of the National Rally of Independents (RNI) party, addressed the party’s National Council meeting on Saturday in Rabat, underscoring the event’s significance as an annual democratic exercise.
He emphasized the council’s role in shaping political strategies, defining priorities, and upholding the party’s commitment to Morocco’s development.
Akhannouch highlighted the symbolic choice of January 11 for the council meeting, marking a historic day of unity between the monarchy and the Moroccan people.
He praised King Mohammed VI’s efforts to safeguard Morocco’s territorial integrity and sovereignty in the face of separatist threats, emphasizing the ongoing importance of this legacy.
Reflecting on the government’s performance, Akhannouch cited significant achievements over the past three years, including measures to improve the daily lives of Moroccan families and secure their future. He emphasized the need for continued collective efforts to fulfill national priorities and strengthen Morocco’s economic and social foundations.
Key achievements mentioned include:
- Social Protection: Allocation of 10 billion dirhams to expand social protection programs, including universal health insurance for all social groups. Akhannouch noted that the government has successfully increased the number of Moroccans with full health coverage to 10 million.
- Healthcare Reform: Increasing the health sector budget from 19 billion dirhams in 2021 to over 32 billion dirhams, enabling the rehabilitation of 800 primary healthcare centers out of 1,400 planned by 2025.
- Support for Citizens: Measures to enhance citizens’ purchasing power, including maintaining subsidies through the Compensation Fund (16.5 billion dirhams) and eliminating income tax for retirees.
- Strengthened Local Governance: Raising local governments’ share of value-added tax revenue from 30% to 32%, addressing a key demand of elected officials.
Akhannouch expressed gratitude to King Mohammed VI for declaring the Amazigh New Year a national holiday and prioritizing family issues.
He called for integrating updates to the Family Code into the party’s political agenda, ensuring reforms align with Morocco’s societal values while addressing modern challenges.
The Prime Minister praised Morocco’s diplomatic successes in garnering international recognition of its sovereignty over the Sahara, citing recent support from France, Spain, and the United States. He stressed the importance of heightened vigilance and mobilization to counter opposition maneuvers.
The RNI is actively leveraging parliamentary diplomacy to promote Morocco’s stance globally.
Akhannouch reiterated Morocco’s unwavering commitment to the Palestinian cause under King Mohammed VI’s leadership. He condemned Israel’s aggression against Palestinians and reaffirmed Morocco’s support for a two-state solution with East Jerusalem as the capital of an independent Palestinian state.
Looking ahead, Akhannouch emphasized that the government’s second term will focus on employment and water resource management.
He called for a significant boost in the performance of the party’s affiliated organizations, describing the council meeting as a turning point for the RNI’s operations.
Akhannouch concluded by reaffirming the party’s commitment to serving Moroccans and upholding the guidance of King Mohammed VI, highlighting the RNI’s dedication to values of responsibility, democracy, and ethical governance.
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