Samir Chouki: PJD Excels in Parliamentary Performance Amidst Economic Challenges
In a recent communication meeting held in Casablanca, renowned economist and head of the Omega think tank, Samir Chouki, asserted that the Justice and Development Party (PJD) has remarkably led parliamentary performance during the current legislative term. Despite holding a limited number of seats compared to the majority parties, Chouki emphasized that PJD is gearing up for the upcoming legislative elections in 2026 with enthusiasm and confidence, grounded in its integrity and proactive engagement in public affairs.
Chouki's statements came during a discussion focused on the political context surrounding the forthcoming elections, attended by party members including Amina Maa El Ainain, a member of the party's General Secretariat, and Abdeslam Hayek, a member of the PJD parliamentary group. In his address, Chouki underscored that voter turnout is one of the foremost challenges facing the upcoming elections. He noted that Morocco is approaching pivotal events, particularly the UN Security Council meeting in October regarding the implementation of the autonomy initiative for the Moroccan Sahara. He argued that the state’s interests necessitate the formation of a robust government with competent national figures capable of advocating for this initiative on an international scale.
Challenges of Voter Participation and the Current Government's Performance
Chouki pointed out that an increase in voter turnout would enhance the credibility of the electoral process, while low participation rates often benefit those engaged in vote-buying schemes, as a small number of voters can secure parliamentary seats under such circumstances. He presented statistical data compiled by the Omega center over recent months, revealing that the PJD parliamentary group leads in terms of average parliamentary interventions, outperforming other groups significantly despite having only 13 seats. This indicates the party's commitment to raising critical issues, fostering public discourse, and providing substantial content to the media throughout the legislative term.
Although PJD currently ranks eighth in terms of parliamentary seats, it excels in legislative and oversight performance compared to other parties, including those ranked second and third. Chouki attributed this strength to the party's deep-rooted connections with working-class and middle-class citizens. Furthermore, he criticized the current government’s record, citing several indicators that he deemed evidence of its "abysmal failure" to meet its commitments. For instance, while the government pledged to create one million jobs, only 94,000 positions were realized by the end of 2025, leading to projections that overall achievements would not surpass 25% of the announced goal.
Chouki also highlighted a decline in the integration of women into the labor market, dropping from 20% to 19%, instead of the promised increase to 30%. Additionally, he noted that inflation rates have exceeded the government’s forecasts, which capped expectations at 5% for the entire term. He regarded the issue of national debt as the most pressing economic challenge left by the current government, pointing out the contradiction between its policy of intensive foreign borrowing from international financial institutions and the substantial expenditures, estimated at around 28 billion dirhams, allocated for direct support without adequate transparency regarding the actual beneficiaries.
He called for an investigative committee to scrutinize the support file, claiming that the lack of political will has hindered the opening of this file, despite the availability of sufficient data for a swift investigation based on his prior experience as an auditor in the banking sector. In a notable exchange with a journalist advocating for election boycotts, Chouki questioned whether such a boycott would prevent the formation of a new government, asserting that voter apathy ultimately serves to maintain the status quo among ruling powers. He urged Moroccans to recognize that the continuation of these forces in power is directly linked to their willingness to participate in the electoral process.
Concluding his remarks, Chouki stressed that Moroccans face a critical opportunity to transform the country’s economic conditions, advocating for the election of a government characterized by wisdom, transparency, and the credibility necessary to confront the looming challenges ahead.
As reported by pjd.ma.
