Report: Morocco’s outgoing government promised social spending but offered few political reforms

The programs of Morocco’s outgoing governing parties focused largely on social and economic issues while offering limited detail on political and constitutional reform, according to an analysis by the Moroccan Center for Research and Policy Analysis.

The center reviewed the programs of the National Rally of Independents, the Authenticity and Modernity Party and Istiqlal, which all participated in the previous government. It said their experience in government should have provided a clearer assessment of the country’s institutional and political challenges.

The analysis said the parties offered few proposals on electoral reform, election oversight, political representation or the process of forming governments. It also found limited detail on relations between the central government and regions, including how powers and responsibilities should be divided.

Social and economic issues featured prominently, with promises covering housing, health care, education, purchasing power and support for vulnerable groups and young people. The center said the programs largely maintained the approach of previous government programs rather than proposing major structural changes.

The programs instead relied heavily on targets and spending commitments, including higher wages and measures aimed at strengthening purchasing power, the center said.

It also said issues including sovereignty, security, defense, civil protection and foreign policy received comparatively limited attention. References to Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara largely reaffirmed existing positions without outlining specific new proposals, according to the analysis.

The center also questioned how some of the election promises would be financed. It noted that proposals by parties including PAM for significant tax cuts could reduce government revenues, with taxes remaining a major source of state income.