Lekjaa defends 2026 finance bill, citing long-term reform path

Budget Minister Faouzi Lekjaa on Wednesday defended the 2026 draft finance bill, saying it cannot be assessed separately from more than two decades of structural reforms aimed at building a modern social and economic model.

Speaking during a plenary session at the House of Councillors, Lekjaa said the bill reflects “a clear vision for a developmental project that balances economic priorities with positive social momentum.”

He stressed that the government’s choices remain consistent, particularly “the continued strengthening of the foundations of the social state,” in line with royal directives and the government’s reform agenda.

Lekjaa said millions of Moroccan households are now receiving direct social assistance through a system based on targeted eligibility criteria. He noted that one-third of the population previously registered under the RAMED program has transitioned into the compulsory health insurance system.

The minister announced that the government will begin reforming unemployment benefits in the coming weeks, while also studying how to integrate economically active individuals, including those who earn income through work or pensions, before the end of the current term.

Addressing criticism of the pace and structure of Morocco’s social protection rollout, Lekjaa said the project must be viewed as a long-term effort.

“There must be recognition of positive accumulation as the essential basis for success,” he said. “Social protection cannot be assessed over a single year or even a single government mandate. It requires time to mature and achieve its intended goals.”

He added that the government has already spent nearly 50 billion dirhams on the initiative, while other elements still require sustained monitoring and adjustments. A review of eligibility mechanisms is currently under study.

Lekjaa said the government’s decision to accelerate hospital construction and equipment upgrades is a deliberate political choice aimed at improving health and education services. He positioned the measures as part of the broader path toward strengthening social services under the “social state” framework.

The minister also defended the country’s economic strategy, arguing that Morocco has demonstrated resilience through successive crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic, prolonged drought and water shortages.

He acknowledged that these challenges have affected the national budget and contributed to increased public debt but maintained that the economy retains “strong capacity for endurance and recovery.”

Lekjaa highlighted what he described as significant progress in tax reform, reporting an 18% increase in revenues. “We should be proud of this achievement,” he said, noting that it follows two national tax conferences held during the current government’s term.

He added that the administration took office amid “a difficult starting point,” referencing post-pandemic pressures and global inflation.

The House of Councillors will hold two plenary sessions Thursday. The first will be dedicated to voting on the first part of the 2026 draft finance bill, while the second will examine the sectoral budget proposals.