PREMIERSHIP: Moroccan king appoints new government

The leader of Morocco’s new moderate Islamist government has named his cabinet – the first time it has not been chosen by the king. Abdelilah Benkirane, leader of the Islamist Justice and Development Party (PJD), was earlier designated by the king as prime minister to head a power-sharing cabinet after his party won 27 percent of parliamentary seats in the election.

Moderate Islamists dominate new Moroccan cabinet (Euronews):

King Mohammed on Tuesday awarded cabinet posts to moderate Islamists for the first time on Tuesday, giving the foreign, justice and social affairs ministries to the party that came first in a November élection.


*******************************


*******************************

PREMIERSHIP

*******************************

*******************************

 

(Reuters)

 

RABAT (Reuters) – King Mohammed on Tuesday awarded cabinet posts to moderate Islamists for the first time on Tuesday, giving the foreign, justice and social affairs ministries to the party that came first in a November election, the official MAP news agency said.

Abdelilah Benkirane, leader of the Islamist Justice and Development Party (PJD), was earlier designated by the king as prime minister to head a power-sharing cabinet after his party won 27 percent of parliamentary seats in the election.

The king brought forward the election by nearly a year in an effort to pre-empt a popular revolt similar to ones that have rocked the Arab world, toppling four longtime ruling autocrats.

King Mohammed hopes fresh faces at the top of government, and at least the appearance of change, will deflate popular pressure for a more revolutionary transformation inspired by the Arab uprisings.

Benkirane has forged an alliance with two conservative parties close to the monarchy –Istiqlal (Independence), which came second, and the Popular Movement — as well as the smaller left-wing Progress and Socialism Party.

Istiqlal member Nizar Baraka was named Finance and Economy Minister, replacing Salaheddine Mezouar whose party, the National Rally of Independents, opted to go into opposition.

PJD member Mohamed Najib Boulif, who has initially been strongly touted for Baraka’s role, was named minister in charge of general affairs and governance, putting him in charge of thorny issues such as reforming the burdensome subsidies system.

Mustafa Ramid, a prominent lawyer and human right activist from PJD who has often been critical of the security services’ record, was named Minister of Justice and Public Freedoms.

Bassima Hakkaoui of the PJD took over the social and women’s affairs ministry as the only woman in the 31-member cabinet.

Saad-Eddine El-Othmani, another PJD member, was appointed foreign minister while Popular Movement leader Mohand Laenser was appointed interior minister.

A reform programme presented by the palace aims to reduce the king’s sweeping powers in favour of elected officials in response to protests pressing mainly for a British or Spanish-style constitutional monarchy, an independent judiciary and improved curbs on corruption.

The reforms won overwhelming support in a July 1 referendum but protests have continued. The new charter subjects any government appointment to the king’s approval.

The new charter was widely expected to limit interference by the royal court in appointments of personnel in justice, religious affairs, interior, defence,foreign affairs and the general secretariat, a legal adviser to the government.

Non-party figures close to the king were named in charge of defence, the general secretariat, religious affairs and the agriculture and fisheries ministry.

Related Blogs on Morocco:

PREMIERSHIP:Moroccan king appoints ‘moderate’ Islamist party chief as PM

SITTING PRETTY: Will Morocco’s Elections Reduce The King’s Powers?

Morocco vote to curb king’s powers, abolishing death penalty

 

Can Sarkozy’s’ Mediterranean Union’ Boost Middle East & North African Democracies?

Morocco’s King Mohammed VI allowing Female Imams to take charge

King Mohammed VI declares Morocco a constitutional monarchy

Abbas Milani Guest of Morocco’s Prince Moulay Hicham

Morocco’s King Mohammed VI pledges constitutional reform

ROYAL FORUM:Morocco’s Steady Path Towards Democracy

Related « Premiership » Blogs:

PREMIERSHIP:Conservative Mariano Rajoy is sworn in as Spain’s new PM

PREMIERSHIP: Belgium’s King appoints socialist & openly gay PM

 

PREMIERSHIP:Moroccan king appoints ‘moderate’ Islamist party chief as PM

PREMIERSHIP:Historian Simon Schama’s Tour of 10 Downing Street

Jordan’s King Abdullah II Names International Judge As New Prime Minister

37 DAYS: Documentary on Shapour Bakhtiar’s Premiership (MANOTO TV)

PREMIERSHIP ON SCREEN: Michael Sheen as Tony Blair in “The Special Relationship”

YES, PRIME MINISTER: A Step By Step Guide To Mossadegh’s Premiership and the Coup of ’53…

pictory:Bakhtiar Denounces Bazargan’s Provisionary Government in exile (1979)

Abbas Milani on Sadighi’s Missed Opportunity and Bakhtiar’s Premiership

ROYAL FORUM:Fareed Zakaria asks «Does America Need a Prime Minister?»

IRON LADY: First look at Meryl Streep’s new role as Maggie Thatcher

Meet Iranian Singles

Iranian Singles

Recipient Of The Serena Shim Award

Serena Shim Award
Meet your Persian Love Today!
Meet your Persian Love Today!