Benkirane's Green Light for Fuel Price Hikes Sparks Outrage in Morocco
In a move that has shocked and infuriated many in Morocco, Abdelilah Benkirane, the Secretary-General of the Justice and Development Party (PJD), known colloquially as "the Brotherhood of Morocco," has come out in defense of the successive price hikes in fuel. He deemed these increases as "understandable" and necessary, a stance many view as a blank check allowing the government to continue burdening the citizens. This declaration was made during a party meeting aimed at preparing the electoral program, where Benkirane urged his supporters not to succumb to calls for protests or boycott of fuel companies, dismissing these movements as "populist."
Observers note that Benkirane, who previously championed the cause of the poor to gain power, is now providing justifications for the government under the guise of a "global crisis." This tactic appears to be a blatant attempt to appease the state and re-establish his political credentials, as he seems to believe that this "bargaining" might secure him political gains or a return to the political scene through the backdoor. Instead of siding with the vulnerable and middle classes, who are being crushed by transportation costs and rising prices of essential goods, Benkirane has gone far in defending the "price liberalization" decisions made during his tenure as Prime Minister—decisions that many Moroccans now view as the "great sin" that opened the floodgates for the dominance of fuel companies.
His statements have triggered widespread discontent, with activists arguing that this is clear evidence that the Brotherhood does not care about the plight of the Moroccan people as much as their organizational interests. Trade union and political voices have accused Benkirane of "misleading" the public by attributing the increases solely to international factors, while neglecting the structural "rents" benefiting major players in the energy sector. These developments mark a significant disconnect between the Justice and Development Party and the grassroots, as Benkirane's recent stance is seen as an attempt to polish the current government's policies in exchange for political assurances. This places the party in direct confrontation with a street that is boiling over with increasing living pressures.
As reported by hafryat.com.
