Istiqlal weighs Rahal Mekkaoui to lead Parliamentary group after Khair’s dismissal

The Istiqlal Party’s parliamentary group in Morocco’s House of Representatives is meeting Monday morning in the presence of Secretary-General Nizar Baraka to discuss a new leader for the group, a party source told Hespress AR.

The party’s executive committee is pushing for Rahal Mekkaoui to replace Madiha Khair, who was appointed delegate minister in charge of vocational training and skills development before being dismissed from her government post, the source said.

King Mohammed VI appointed Khair last Friday as delegate minister to the minister of national education, preschool education, vocational training and skills development. Her appointment automatically left the leadership of the Istiqlal parliamentary group vacant, paving the way for the legal and organizational procedures governing conflicts of office and the replacement of departing officials.

Khair’s appointment sparked controversy after reports cited a medical certificate and criminal court documents allegedly linked to her dating back more than 20 years. On Sunday, the king accepted a request from the head of government to dismiss her from her ministerial duties, in accordance with Article 47 of the Constitution, according to a statement from the Royal Cabinet.

The party source said two members of the executive committee, Mekkaoui and Hicham Saenane, remain potential candidates to lead the parliamentary group. Saenane, however, has shown no interest in the position, bringing Mekkaoui to the forefront. Baraka is expected to put his name forward for approval unless circumstances change, the source added.

The source also said Baraka had been contacted and expressed strong displeasure over the developments, as well as significant embarrassment before the monarchy, government members and their respective political parties.

According to the source, Baraka said he had been unaware of any details related to the case and had fully supported the head of government’s decision to exercise her constitutional powers in the matter.

The timing of Khair’s appointment and dismissal, which both took place around the weekend, could complicate the process of her resigning from her parliamentary duties, the source said. This could leave her continuing to serve as a member of parliament without returning to lead the party’s parliamentary group.

The source added that the party leadership was unwilling to risk placing a woman dismissed from government responsibilities at the forefront of its parliamentary presence. The source also argued that Khair should be shielded from public scrutiny amid what was described as attempts by certain parties to harm her reputation and settle scores with the party.

The party figure expressed regret over what they described as elements of the campaign that amounted to personal attacks and defamation, warning of potentially serious consequences for Khair and her family.

The source acknowledged that the party may have misjudged the situation but said responsibility had ultimately been addressed through the royal intervention, which followed an urgent government request for her dismissal.