{"id":2834,"date":"2025-05-13T12:53:39","date_gmt":"2025-05-13T12:53:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/diplomatique.ma\/en\/?p=2834"},"modified":"2025-05-13T15:54:42","modified_gmt":"2025-05-13T15:54:42","slug":"motion-of-censure-in-the-moroccan-parliament-futile-initiative-or-political-warning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/diplomatique.ma\/en\/motion-of-censure-in-the-moroccan-parliament-futile-initiative-or-political-warning\/","title":{"rendered":"Motion of Censure in the Moroccan Parliament: Futile Initiative or Political Warning?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"\" style=\"text-align: justify;\" data-start=\"4825\" data-end=\"5361\">The motion of censure submitted by opposition groups in Morocco\u2019s House of Representatives to topple Aziz Akhannouch\u2019s government raises deep questions about the purpose of such an initiative, in light of a cohesive parliamentary majority that appears confident in its strength. While the majority calls it &#8220;politically aimless,&#8221; the motion exposes the fragility of coordination within the opposition. Are we witnessing yet another failed attempt to revive parliamentary oversight, or is this an early sign of internal political strain?<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"text-align: justify;\" data-start=\"5363\" data-end=\"5426\"><strong data-start=\"5363\" data-end=\"5426\">1. The Majority: &#8220;We don&#8217;t fear debate, but it&#8217;s pointless&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"text-align: justify;\" data-start=\"5428\" data-end=\"5665\"><strong data-start=\"5428\" data-end=\"5448\">General context:<\/strong> The government relies on a solid coalition of three parties (RNI, PAM, Istiqlal), holding 255 out of 395 seats. This numerical reality makes toppling the government through a motion of censure practically impossible.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"text-align: justify;\" data-start=\"5667\" data-end=\"5721\">Statements from the majority reflect a clear position:<\/p>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\" data-start=\"5722\" data-end=\"6115\">\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"5722\" data-end=\"5854\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"5724\" data-end=\"5854\">\ud83d\udde3 <strong data-start=\"5727\" data-end=\"5752\">Mohamed Chouki (RNI):<\/strong> &#8220;The opposition is only united by the moment&#8230; The government will emerge victorious from any test.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"5855\" data-end=\"5980\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"5857\" data-end=\"5980\">\ud83d\udde3 <strong data-start=\"5860\" data-end=\"5883\">Ahmed Touizi (PAM):<\/strong> &#8220;It is politically naive to expect us to support the fall of a government we see as successful.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"5981\" data-end=\"6115\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"5983\" data-end=\"6115\">\ud83d\udde3 <strong data-start=\"5986\" data-end=\"6012\">Allal El Amraoui (PI):<\/strong> &#8220;Parliamentary tradition is clear: we do not support initiatives that undermine government stability.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"text-align: justify;\" data-start=\"6117\" data-end=\"6344\"><strong data-start=\"6117\" data-end=\"6138\">The key question:<\/strong> If the balance of power is clear and the majority is confident, what is the purpose of submitting the motion? Is it a media stunt? Or an attempt to stir stagnant waters even if the result is predetermined?<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"text-align: justify;\" data-start=\"6346\" data-end=\"6407\"><strong data-start=\"6346\" data-end=\"6407\">2. The Opposition: Internal Division and Lack of Strategy<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"text-align: justify;\" data-start=\"6409\" data-end=\"6432\"><strong data-start=\"6409\" data-end=\"6432\">Inside perspective:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\" data-start=\"6433\" data-end=\"6578\">\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"6433\" data-end=\"6494\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"6435\" data-end=\"6494\">Composed of ideologically diverse parties (PJD, PPS, USFP).<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"6495\" data-end=\"6529\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"6497\" data-end=\"6529\">Major coordination difficulties.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"6530\" data-end=\"6578\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"6532\" data-end=\"6578\">Failure to gather the required 148 signatures.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"text-align: justify;\" data-start=\"6580\" data-end=\"6602\"><strong data-start=\"6580\" data-end=\"6602\">Underlying causes:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\" data-start=\"6603\" data-end=\"6760\">\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"6603\" data-end=\"6674\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"6605\" data-end=\"6674\">\u2757\ufe0f Ideological differences between Islamists, leftists, and liberals.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"6675\" data-end=\"6760\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"6677\" data-end=\"6760\">\u2757\ufe0f Local electoral considerations, making parties cautious of short-term alliances.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"text-align: justify;\" data-start=\"6762\" data-end=\"6960\"><strong data-start=\"6762\" data-end=\"6780\">Core question:<\/strong> Can the opposition move beyond reactive politics to become a credible political alternative? Or will it remain trapped in symbolic gestures within closed institutional frameworks?<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"text-align: justify;\" data-start=\"6962\" data-end=\"7001\"><strong data-start=\"6962\" data-end=\"7001\">3. Winners and Losers in This Round<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"text-align: justify;\" data-start=\"7003\" data-end=\"7024\"><strong data-start=\"7003\" data-end=\"7024\">Majority\u2019s gains:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\" data-start=\"7025\" data-end=\"7124\">\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"7025\" data-end=\"7075\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"7027\" data-end=\"7075\">Appears united and strong before public opinion.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"7076\" data-end=\"7124\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"7078\" data-end=\"7124\">Opportunity to defend government achievements.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"text-align: justify;\" data-start=\"7126\" data-end=\"7165\"><strong data-start=\"7126\" data-end=\"7165\">Potential gains for the opposition:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\" data-start=\"7166\" data-end=\"7315\">\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"7166\" data-end=\"7248\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"7168\" data-end=\"7248\">Raise public debate on government policies (inflation, unemployment, health&#8230;).<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"7249\" data-end=\"7315\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"7251\" data-end=\"7315\">Test the cohesion of the majority and identify possible dissent.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"text-align: justify;\" data-start=\"7317\" data-end=\"7485\"><strong data-start=\"7317\" data-end=\"7340\">Strategic question:<\/strong> Can the opposition turn this initiative into a platform for national debate on public policy? Or will the debate become an empty political show?<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"text-align: justify;\" data-start=\"7487\" data-end=\"7567\"><strong data-start=\"7487\" data-end=\"7567\">4. Constitutional and Political Reading: Oversight Between Text and Practice<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"text-align: justify;\" data-start=\"7569\" data-end=\"7767\">The 2011 Constitution expanded Parliament\u2019s powers and enshrined oversight tools like the motion of censure. Yet, the real power dynamic remains unchanged: numerical and political majority prevails.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"text-align: justify;\" data-start=\"7769\" data-end=\"7791\"><strong data-start=\"7769\" data-end=\"7791\">Previous attempts:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\" data-start=\"7792\" data-end=\"7915\">\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"7792\" data-end=\"7840\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"7794\" data-end=\"7840\">All motions of censure have failed since 1998.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"7841\" data-end=\"7915\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"7843\" data-end=\"7915\">Mostly used as symbolic pressure tools, not effective political weapons.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"text-align: justify;\" data-start=\"7917\" data-end=\"8091\"><strong data-start=\"7917\" data-end=\"7950\">Open constitutional question:<\/strong> Does the limited use of censure reflect opposition weakness? Or a political system that offers tools but limits their practical application?<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"text-align: justify;\" data-start=\"8093\" data-end=\"8151\"><strong data-start=\"8093\" data-end=\"8151\">5. Conclusion: After the Motion\u2026 Will Anything Change?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"text-align: justify;\" data-start=\"8153\" data-end=\"8176\"><strong data-start=\"8153\" data-end=\"8176\">Possible scenarios:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\" data-start=\"8177\" data-end=\"8464\">\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"8177\" data-end=\"8287\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"8179\" data-end=\"8287\">Failure to gather signatures: confirms opposition fragility and blocks similar initiatives before elections.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"8288\" data-end=\"8383\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"8290\" data-end=\"8383\">Motion presented and debated: a moment for public statements, without political consequences.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"8384\" data-end=\"8464\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"8386\" data-end=\"8464\">Majority fractures? Highly unlikely in the current context, despite pressures.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"text-align: justify;\" data-start=\"8466\" data-end=\"8710\"><strong data-start=\"8466\" data-end=\"8494\">Main political takeaway:<\/strong> The motion is more than a parliamentary document; it is a mirror reflecting the opposition\u2019s internal crisis and showing how the government benefits more from its opponents\u2019 fragmentation than from its own policies.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"text-align: justify;\" data-start=\"8712\" data-end=\"8731\"><strong data-start=\"8712\" data-end=\"8731\">Open questions:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"8732\" data-end=\"9041\">\n<li class=\"\" style=\"text-align: justify;\" data-start=\"8732\" data-end=\"8867\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"8734\" data-end=\"8867\">Does the opposition&#8217;s failure to unify reflect a crisis in political parties, or is it the result of a system that controls outcomes?<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" style=\"text-align: justify;\" data-start=\"8868\" data-end=\"8953\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"8870\" data-end=\"8953\">How can we reconcile governmental stability with effective parliamentary oversight?<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"8954\" data-end=\"9041\">\n<p class=\"\" style=\"text-align: justify;\" data-start=\"8956\" data-end=\"9041\">What does the Moroccan opposition need to evolve from mere dissent to real influence?<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The motion of censure submitted by opposition groups in Morocco\u2019s House of Representatives to topple Aziz Akhannouch\u2019s government raises deep questions about the purpose of such an initiative, in light of a cohesive parliamentary majority that appears confident in its strength. While the majority calls it &#8220;politically aimless,&#8221; the motion exposes the fragility of coordination [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2835,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[39,76],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-2834","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-africa","8":"category-the-maghreb"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/diplomatique.ma\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2834","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/diplomatique.ma\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/diplomatique.ma\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/diplomatique.ma\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/diplomatique.ma\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2834"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/diplomatique.ma\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2834\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2836,"href":"https:\/\/diplomatique.ma\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2834\/revisions\/2836"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/diplomatique.ma\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2835"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/diplomatique.ma\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2834"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/diplomatique.ma\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2834"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/diplomatique.ma\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2834"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}