Article published in Tel Quel / September 2008
What better way for seven classic westerns illustrate the political season, with its share of real hope or (already) vanished.
By Suleiman Bencheikh
One thing is certain: the entry nominated Fouad Ali El Himma in the political arena has already upset the gentle habits of our politicians. For over a year, journalists and political scientists have their eyes on "the king's friend" and his vast projects. For its second opening of Parliament, former Minister of the Interior has yet to speak of him: he is the first series of his quarrel with Abdullah Kadiri, head of the NDP (National Democratic Party, recently "swallowed ") is the saga of the first electoral test of WFP (Authenticity and Modernity Party) partial legislative elections of 19 and 21 September and, finally, the icing on the cake, the surprise announcement of an alliance Parliamentary with the NIR (National Rally of Independents) Mustapha Mansouri. Faced with all this commotion, politicians, destabilized, tries to respond. But with or without it, the film continues ...
For a few dollars
Or anticorruption
is now a habit: the political season takes place every August 20. Officials still on holiday, then the ear riveted on the traditional royal speech. And this year, with several tricks up its sleeve, the king has hit hard. In addition to appointing a new Secretary General of Government (Driss Dahhak), a fresh President of the Supreme Court (Taieb Cherkaoui) and a seasoned boss as head of the Competition Council (Abdelali Benamor), Mohammed VI has declared war on corruption: a vast project which has been working Abdesselam Aboudrar, previously Deputy Managing Director of the CDG (Caisse de depot et de gestion). And the least we can say is that the new boss of the Central Agency for Corruption Prevention (ICPC) has work to do. But will it have the means of its ambitions? "I could not accept the proposal if I was not confident of advancing things ", he already warned. Under the responsibility of the Prime Minister, the ICPC should have a budget of 40 to 50 million dirhams, still under negotiation. But if Abbas El Fassi retains control on the purse strings, it is not sure he has his say in the policies and proposals of the Forum. "At the slightest problem, I am available," would in effect repeated Mohammed VI to Abdesselam Aboudrar convinced of the good will of the highest authorities of the State.
Gunfight at the OK Corral
Or test-elections
19 and 21 September, we replayed the film of the 2007 elections, with a few cuts and a lot of improvisation. But elections have never been spilled as much ink. The seats in four districts were again to be filled: South Safi, Tiznit, Mohammedia and Gueliz-Annakhil in Marrakech. In total, seven members could be recovered through the ballot box after the invalidation of the election made by the Constitutional Council, following complaints of irregularities accumulated since September 2007. After ECT legislative elections, all parties were on the go: Istiqlal had at heart to confirm his good form at the moment. The PJD and its new leader, Abdelilah Benkirane, had to correct the missed shot victory in 2007. For the USFP, entangled in its internal crisis (see article page 26), it was fair to limit the damage. Finally, we replayed the same scenario a year ago: a disappointingly low turnout, voters 'financially' interest in the results of polls and notables who had that last ... At the same evils, same remedies: as soon as the results are known, the candidates (happy or unhappy) are on the frontlines to denounce "irregularities" of the poll. Even WFP sang the refrain of electoral corruption. Ironically, the political and media uproar around these elections only resulted in the continuation of unsuccessful candidates by the Constitutional Council, the same faces succeeding themselves.
Unforgiven
Or the adventure of El Himma
In the role of Clint Eastwood, Fouad Ali El Himma, to whom nothing seems to resist. The press has a field day for the failure of the WFP-elections, with only one candidate is elected, that is more an incumbent, inserted at the Alliance of Liberties (ADL) of Ali Belhaj. But the soldier El Himma has been able to return the situation. Thus, the WFP was at least one reason for satisfaction "We are a party like the others. Everyone could see we were not favored by the administration" , explained to El Himma his troops. More, according to the official prose, the results of elections dedicate the victory of the center. A triumph for El Himma? It seems the idea that accreditation. The man began a media tour and now drag parties of all kinds. After the alliance in parliament with the NIR, WFP is preparing a few surprises. The microcosm political currency of any rapprochement with the People's Movement (MP), even with the Constitutional Union (UC), located to the right of the political spectrum. El Himma but has not given up putting his two cents in the debate that animates currently USFP. Asked Ali Bouabid Circle and political analysis (a think tank focused on the left), Monday, Oct. 13, El Himma took the opportunity to wear his favorite costume convener. A stroke center, a shot to left. With only one declared opponent to date ("Islam from elsewhere", says his boss), WFP will exceed, or even fly the partisan divide. But right or left, tradition or modernity, it may be necessary to select and explain one day. Until further notice, the WFP is a party like the others.
Great Silence
Or com 'Si Abbas
Abbas El Fassi Prime Minister is an unloved. His appointment, respectful of the Democratic letter, made a lot of disappointment, and action for over a year to head the government does not always plead for him. However, if Abbas is stepping up efforts. To please the king, of course. But also to correct his image of "dinosaur" a little worn. Let it be said, Abbas El Fassi has decided to connect ... even do it twice. First, an interview with French weekly Jeune Afrique , where our Prime Minister answered questions uncompromising Francis Sudan. Anthology. Recounting one of his typical day: "After dinner, I sign the signature books at home, then I think about what will and will not in Morocco." Explaining his relationship with the king: "The phone exchanges between King and I are regular and sometimes it gets me. [...] I've always in my pocket with a telephone a special number, which allows him to call me anytime. " And a second interview, much shorter, given to Morocco Update: here, no frills, the Prime Minister made her com '. Sometimes however, borders on emptiness. Question: "For a year to head the government what have you learned?". "To work more. The task is heavy, big responsibility ..." If Abbas meets. And follows a short paragraph of platitudes.
But the damage may be done. The picture that emerges from our Prime Minister is a serious student, a bit shy, often laborious, and most importantly, which is justified without any explanation. Without such return on the role of the king's advisers in the formation of "his" government ...
Noon
Or the hesitation of the Istiqlal
Meanwhile, the party of Abbas El Fassi is suspended by the decisions of its leader ... who still has not taken yes or no, he will run for a third term as Secretary General of Istiqlal prohibit him ... as the party's constitution? The 15th Congress of the formation of the scale, which would decide the issue, originally scheduled for mid-October. But it was postponed to 9, 10 and 11 January. The weather probably digest the crisis to USFP and uncertainties related to the strategy of El Himma. Istiqlal activists, however, seem to move towards the renewal of their new Caesar. El Fassi warned however: "I will not campaign. This is the basis for decision." In other words, the party's constitution will certainly be amended to allow him to represent himself. Badly implemented, but these ambitions are not to the liking of everyone, after crashing out of M'hamed El Khalifa was the turn of Mohamed Larbi Messari, historical figure of the national movement to freeze its activities in Istiqlal and slam the door Executive Committee. Fortunately, the oldest party in the country began its transformation five years ago already, and the young guard pampered by El Fassi is preparing to fill the disclaimers: the Nizar Baraka, Karim Ghellab and other more Yasmina Baddou occupy the area left Vacant disappointed by the "reign El Fassi.
Upon a Time in the West
Or the opening of Parliament
Friday, October 10, Parliament made its comeback official. For the occasion, he had made a little face lift: a new building for the House of Councillors, but the king has not had time to open since the opening session was held, as usual, in the Chamber of the House of Representatives. Never mind! MPs and parliamentarians have come in numbers to receive with great fanfare Mohammed VI, his court and his generals. But even the best oiled scenarios are not immune to small false notes: after an error in reading the Koran which traditionally precedes the King's speech and the opening of the parliamentary session, the boss PJD, Abdelilah Benkirane, spoke extemporaneously and without a microphone to correct the poor "flayer of the Koran." Intervention diversely appreciated ... In any event, the die is cast. The parliamentary year has begun and the King has defined the specifications of Deputies. On the menu: the fight against corruption, the increased role of ECOSOC in the context of living and international crisis, with a little extra measure goodwill gesture: the legal age to run for municipal expected to rise 23 to 21 years. But by the end of the royal speech of congratulations and rigor, Councillors and MPs have been asked to take leave for their August guest. As a consolation, a buffet and mountains of cakes straight from the royal palace. Attention apparently enough to calm the appetite of our legendary members.
Epilogue: The man with the golden colts
Or the king Almighty
The man in the back is also the main actor of the film. Unsurprisingly, this is Mohammed VI: a firm intention to fight against corruption, operation "1 million school bags" that has already made many happy and, last but not least, a speech announcing the takeover of the religious field. With this series of stunts, King began the new parliamentary year with a train ahead of political parties. Finally, the traditional parties, only the PJD (which held its convention last summer) and the NIR (which now leans Fouad Ali El Himma) seem to keep pace printed by the king. As for the ministers, all seem amined the role allotted to them: no odd, no discordant notes in the sweet prevailing consensus. It must be said Abbas El Fassi that is there to lead by example.
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