As reported by agadir24.info.
The Inefficacy of Current Coalition Governments in Morocco
The existing coalition government system in Morocco, characterized by party alliances formed post-elections, fails to establish a politically stable and productive society. This system does not contribute to democratic stability or continuity, nor does it foster effective political engagement or instill confidence within civil society. Instead, it perpetuates political corruption and governmental patronage, thereby weakening constitutional institutions. The costs of previous and current coalitions have been catastrophic for Moroccan political society, yielding hybrid governments composed of parties and technocrats that lack a unified ideological framework, political program, or coherent strategic vision typically seen in democratic coalitions. The question arises: what core principles unite the Istiqlal Party, the PAM, and the RNI? Such alliances may be perceived as a betrayal of voter intent, as citizens elect parties with distinct ideological backgrounds—ranging from liberal to conservative—hoping to uphold cultural identity and national language. Hence, it is crucial to respect these intellectual, political, and ideological choices rather than forge alliances with technocratic and unsocial capitalist parties, which have previously faced accusations of mismanaging national resources and facilitating political corruption.
The Deterioration of Political Accountability and Public Trust
After more than two decades of government coalitions, beginning with the consensual alternation government to the current administration, there is a growing sentiment that the current system of governmental allocation no longer produces effective authority or ensures genuine power rotation. It also fails to maintain even a minimal level of trust between citizens and the government. The emergence of the coalition system arose during exceptional circumstances when there was a fear of a single party monopolizing power, notably during the violent struggles of the Istiqlal Party against its rivals. At that time, the plurality and coalition experiences among parties seemed to offer a viable solution for managing political diversity. However, the primary issue has not been the transitional implementation of this system but rather its transformation into a permanent fixture in Moroccan governance and part of the prevailing political culture. Genuine democratic culture necessitates that parties disclose their alliances prior to elections, thereby educating the public before voting and ensuring clear and transparent agreements. Leaving the matter of alliances until after election results are announced places parties at the mercy of electoral outcomes and lobby power, fostering a sense of political futility among citizens, who feel their votes lack the necessary impact on government formation.
The opportunistic alliances between parties have not eradicated political fragmentation nor established a stable political community; rather, they have undermined the concept of political accountability. When a majority of political forces participate in the government, it becomes increasingly challenging to pinpoint responsibility for political, social, economic, and cultural failures. Who is accountable for the misallocation of funds intended for farmers and herders: the Prime Minister, a specific minister, or the party they represent? Similarly, who bears responsibility for rising energy prices? This confusion leaves citizens disoriented, unsure of where to direct their grievances, particularly when some government ministers distance themselves from the responsibility of price hikes and deny any connection to the large intermediaries benefiting from public support and customs exemptions for importing livestock, as if the government has morphed into a broad alliance of partners—rather than parties—sharing positions and profits, while responsibility dissipates among all. Concurrently, a robust and effective opposition fails to emerge, as most influential forces are part of the government itself, culminating in the inability of opposition parties to activate parliamentary oversight mechanisms or establish investigative committees to scrutinize the management of public funds.
The most alarming aspect of governmental coalition and party alliance systems is that they encourage loyalty over citizenship. Instead of competing to implement programs and public policies, government parties vie for the size of their respective shares within the government. Over the years, political parties in power have transformed state institutions into battlegrounds for influence among various political forces. These parties become preoccupied with their narrow interests, contributing little value to the national political and party landscape and instead exposing their bleak realities. The ongoing practice of political and governmental patronage results in a gradual erosion of public trust in the democratic process itself. When citizens come to believe that elections yield no substantive change, and that governments are formed in closed rooms rather than at the ballot box, political disillusionment rises, and electoral participation declines. Genuine political reform cannot stem from party alliances or the coalitions of leaders; rather, it must begin with a reevaluation of the rules governing the political process. There is an urgent need for an electoral system that reinstates the significance of the voter’s voice and establishes a cohesive ideological and programmatic majority, along with an active opposition.
By: Dr. Badr Mohamed
