PAM’s Lekjaa unveils 350 billion dirham economic, social program for 2031

Fouzi Lekjaa, a member of the political bureau of Morocco’s Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) and minister delegate in charge of the budget, outlined Saturday in Agadir the party’s main economic and social proposals for the Sept. 23 elections, putting the cost of its five-year program at about 350 billion dirhams.

The program, which covers the period from 2026 to 2031, would require an average of 70 billion dirhams annually, Lekjaa said, adding that the party had identified funding sources without raising taxes on citizens.

Presenting the program, Lekjaa said the party had first assessed Morocco’s economic and social situation in 2026 before setting out the conditions it wants to achieve by 2031.

He said future policies must be based on an accurate assessment of current conditions, arguing that flawed analysis of the present would lead to misguided policy choices.

Lekjaa said improving citizens’ living conditions would be at the center of PAM’s proposed development strategy, with purchasing power and the affordability of basic goods among its priorities.

The party is proposing to raise the minimum monthly pension to 3,000 dirhams, while also carrying out a comprehensive review of personal income tax, Lekjaa said.

According to figures presented by the minister, the proposed tax changes could increase employees’ monthly incomes by between 1,500 and 4,000 dirhams, depending on their income and individual circumstances.

Lekjaa also addressed support for widows, arguing that the death of a family’s main breadwinner does not eliminate household expenses. The party is proposing that widows receive a full pension to help preserve household stability and meet daily costs, he said.

On purchasing power, Lekjaa called for reorganizing distribution channels for basic goods and regulating relations between producers and consumers. The objective, he said, would be to ensure reasonable commercial margins while limiting price increases linked to the presence of multiple intermediaries in supply chains.

Youth policy also featured prominently in the program. Lekjaa attributed many of the challenges facing young Moroccans to accumulated economic and social pressures and said PAM would seek to bring young people back into productive economic activity and value creation.

In health and education, the party’s objective for 2031 is to provide services that meet citizens’ needs across Morocco while reducing disparities in access to basic services and development opportunities between regions, Lekjaa said.

He also reaffirmed PAM’s support for the development program launched by King Mohammed VI to reduce territorial disparities and promote balanced development.

Morocco needs a development path that allows citizens across the country to advance at a similar pace, Lekjaa said, rather than one characterized by disparities between regions and social groups.

On financing, Lekjaa said PAM’s proposals were based on detailed calculations. The program would cost 350 billion dirhams over five years, or 70 billion dirhams annually, with funding sources identified for each year, he said.

The party would finance the measures without increasing taxes imposed on citizens, according to Lekjaa.

Lekjaa summarized the program’s philosophy with the word “reasonableness,” saying PAM wanted to make clear commitments to voters and establish a basis for being held accountable for their implementation.

He urged supporters at the Agadir event to promote the program among voters and called for strong turnout in support of PAM candidates in the Sept. 23 vote, saying this would give the party an opportunity to implement its proposals and advance Morocco’s development.