Benabdullah stresses his right to run

Secretary General of the Moroccan Progress and Socialism party (PSP) Mohamed Nabil Benabdullah stressed that he has the legal right to run for his party’s presidency for a third term, saying that what was published over amending the laws as false news.

He added that it is not the right time to announce his decision whether to participate in the coming elections or not, saying that the matter has not been decided yet. He added that the party currently works to discuss the identity of the coming candidate to lead the party during the coming period.

In the same context, the Moroccan politician has defended the Islamic Justice and Development Party, amid growing criticisms of conservatism. Benabdallah said: "We are not a government that reflects conservative views, we are a party that reflects modernism.”

In an interview with Arabstoday, Benabdallah said that: "The government of Abdelilah Benkirane, mirrors the ethics of “dignity, freedom and social justice." He claimed that these "did not represent conservative ideals; the governmental coalition was formed on this basis, as a response to people's desire and social mobility which demanded constitutional and economic reform and social justice."

The leftist minister attacked some parties, describing them as "still digesting in their inception." He also attacked his allies within the democratic bloc, (the Independence Party and the Socialist Union), and considered that his party's alliance with the Justice and Development party is temporary as it "was dictated by the current situational experienced by Morocco."

Benabdallah acknowledged the existence of ideological differences within the government coalition, saying that: "Within the government majority each one has his identity and perceptions.” He blamed the previous government, headed by Abbas El Fassi, for the current economic and social crisis in Morocco, stating that the current government inherited a fiscal deficit.

However Benabdellah recognised that it is the responsibility of the current government to combat the “deterioration of the economy.” He also denied the existence of any governmental decision to raise prices and cut salaries by five percent, as claimed by some Moroccan newspapers.

He said: "The aim of this government is to facilitate procedures to obtain licenses for investment projects, and broaden the tax base.” He added that review of tax exemptions could save the government 5bn dirhams.