PJD negotiates with the RNI and Constitutional Union

Moroccan PM Abdelilah Benkirane Rabat – Rachid Bougha Moroccan PM Abdelilah Benkirane stated that he did not receive any written form signifying the intention of Istiqlal party to leave the government until now. A PJD source affirmed that there have been “informal” meetings between the leaderships of his party and that of the National Rally if Independents (RNI) to discuss the possibility of taking part in the government, to compensate for Istiqlal if they continue to refuse the governmental list submitted by the Premier.
Head of the government, still under construction, stated in Moroccan press, Monday, “I did not receive any statements from Abbas al-Fassi indicating his party’s intention to quit the government, or criticism of the portfolios, in addition, no Istiqlal leader notified me of such decision,” noting that “Abbas al-Fassi was excellent in consultations and he made things easier, thus, I thank him very much for his cooperation.”
Regarding the disagreement on the Transportation and Equipment portfolio, Benkirane stated that he did not refuse to give the Ministry of Transportation and Equipment to Istiqlal, but that he rather suggested they take over the Fishing and Agriculture portfolios, saying that they agreed.
Journalists commented on Benkirane’s statement, which they described as “wooden language”, saying that the Prime Minister is playing the role of the “fireman” to contain the crisis occurring between him and Istiqlal. A source from PJD commented saying that Benkirane attempts to calm his allies in the governmental coalition, following the jolt caused by Istiqlal and the Popular Movement.
The same source did not deny the possibility of reconsidering the entire governmental coalition, in case Istiqlal party holds on to its position and continues to oppose the government formation proposed by the Justice and Development. At the same time, the source revealed the occurrence of “informal” meetings between leaderships in PJD and RNI, to discuss the possibility of taking part in Benkirane’s government, in compensation for Istiqlal if the situation escalates.
‘Arabstoday’ was informed that the ministerial lists, which Benkirane received from the general secretariat of his party (PJD) and from Abbas al-Fassi, General Secretary of Istiqlal, Mohand Laenser, Secretary General of the Popular Movement, and Nabil Ben Abdallah, Secretary General of Progress and Socialism, is not final and will be amended by the Moroccan Monarch, with accordance to the new acting constitution. Thus meaning that the governmental formation spread by the media is the closest to reality, yet still subject to change, along with the coalition, in case Istiqlal quits the government and joins opposition.
Signs indicate possible reconsideration of the government coalition, where the Constitutional Union and RNI noted that Istiqlal’s demands “do not and will not end.” Leader of Misbah Party added “the time of the government declaration will not be far,” as the PM is keen on announcing the new formation before the start of 2012, noting that head of state may not find some of the proposed names for ministerial positions trustworthy, thus changing them with accordance to the Moroccan constitution.
In a relevant context, King Mohammed VI approved the resignation of 9 ministries from al-Fassi’s outgoing government, where the resignations did not last for at the royal offices for more than 24 hours. At the same time, the Prime Ministry office received written requests from heads of state offices, asking to be excused of the governmental responsibility. In addition, the parliament is set to convene, Wednesday at 3:30 PM, to elect members of the parliamentary office, according to the parliament’s statement.
In a separate context, moderate Islamic Justice and development Party, which won the majority of parliamentary seats in recent Moroccan elections, confirmed that they do not intend to confine civil freedoms or set new regulations in the tourism department.
PJD insists, according to Reuters, to not present itself as an Islamic party, despite its Islamic referentiality, as the Moroccan law prohibits the formation of political parties based on religion or ethnicity.
Moroccans have been influenced to a great extent by the western culture, for decades, with freedom not familiar to most Arab and Islamic countries in the region. And in this context, PJD says that they are interested in dealing with issues facing Morocco, top of which are poverty, corruption, developing education, and health services, and that they will not concentrate on the length of women’s clothes or the veil.  
Member of the general secretariat of PJD and candidate to a ministerial post, Abdelaziz Rabbah stressed that no individual or institution could dictate manners to the Moroccan society. He added that the society will not accept any party or organization or minister that imposes tastes and life styles on individuals or the society generally.
It is noted that tourism is a very significant sector in Morocco, welcoming 10 million visitors from abroad last year alone, and there were popular fears that the Islamic party in power would impose confining rules or regulations on terrorists, who come from a different backgrounds with customs and traditions that may conflict with those of a country whose official religion is Islam.