National Council – Ouahbi: “PAM is called to play a central role in Morocco’s democratic process” (Statement)
Dear President and honorable members of the National Council:
I am honored to address you all at this important historical stage; a moment upon which our country established a new democratic phase, following an unprecedented electoral campaign aimed at renewing our legislative, regional and communal institutions, in the prospect of forming the new government. We, as Moroccans, shall stand with pride upon winning the uprising democratic challenges, despite the constraints imposed by the coronavirus pandemic. The noble will of HM the King and that of the Moroccan people has enabled our country to overcome all difficulties and cross all obstacles, thus proving to the world that the establishment of a true democracy in Morocco is an irreversible collective path.
Before engaging in electoral analyses and defining the outlines of the next political stage for our party, allow me to seize the opportunity to convey to you HM’s greetings and appreciation for all our party militants. HM’s high regard which was extended to us through a most appreciated royal reception following our party’s fourth assembly in El Jadida, shall serve as a motivational aspect to our collective efforts, and shall remain a source of pride for all militants to act responsibly and diligently, in order to meet the expectations of HM the king and our beloved citizens.
Dear honorable members of the National Council;
It seems that our destiny as PAM militants only brings us together to share our party’s success stories. PAM’s fourth assembly represented a successful political phase in Morocco’s partisan path in its entirety, due to our militants’ sense of awareness with regard to the importance of renewing the party’s structures, policies and ideologies, through a well-established critical approach, in order to give a glimpse of hope to all democrats in Morocco. Our opponents were under the false impression that our party has come to an end, yet, we managed to rank second upon the elections thanks to those who believe in us. Throughout this time, I have been eager to meet you all once again and feel close to you like always, however, the epidemiological situation within our country forced us to remain distant and denied us the pleasure of engaging in a true partisan life marked by discussions, consultations and the exchange of opinions and positions. The pandemic has cost us the joy that comes with internal disagreements and argumentations.
The party’s fourth assembly has brought an enthusiastic approach into our ranks, for we all had ideas, perceptions and even dreams, that we were eagerly willing to share with our respective national council members, in order to be deliberated and discussed, thus becoming an integral part of our future.
We were all looking forward to directly and realistically contributing to the building of our party, however, the pandemic called for a comprehensive national battle that prevented us from meeting accordingly. The state of emergency did not only affect our party’s internal organization, but has also deprived large segments of our society from earning their livelihood.
Numerous opponents have allegedly tried to exploit our inability to meet in respect of the precautionary measures in force, to instil suspicion and division between us, and to undermine our unity and our determination to build a strong party capable of meeting challenges.
These same opponents shall come to realize that PAM earned an honorable position upon the elections, and shall accept the fact that our party is strong, coherent and second in command, thus it is expected from us to play a pivotal role in the current and future political and democratic stages.
Our meeting today, albeit remotely, thanks to modern technology, carries more than one single meaning. It is a meeting to celebrate our success and discuss our party’s future. Our meeting shall also stand as a witness to our noble morals and high regard for assuming responsibility, which can only be achieved by clinging to the principles of solidarity in the prospect of maintaining an effective partisan action. Our fellow council members have placed their trust in the party’s leadership, and stood against those who wish harm and division upon our unity.
Dear honorable members of the National Council;
This year’s elections covered three constitutional institutions at once which were held in due time, and were marked by the high participation rate and the full respect of the organizational laws in force. This alone, stands as an indicator that Moroccan democracy has won the battle and became a great example for all countries yearning for freedom and democracy.
Morocco’s successful democratic path is the result of political actors’ diligent work and firm belief in our institutions, most notably HM the king, who was keen on organizing the elections in due time.
Therefore, we shall reaffirm our gratitude to HM for his adherence to Morocco’s democratic path, and devotion with regard to its institutional modernization, in which our fellow citizens represent the essence.
Our party’s successful democratic path throughout the elections is due to the hard work by our militants, leadership and political base, for they have shown an unprecedented devotion for our party’s cause by spreading it to large segments of our society, which was later on translated into votes, thus earning us a well-deserved second spot.
I shall thank all PAM militants for engaging in a healthy electoral campaign, in full respect of political differences, honorable competition, and persuasion of alternatives, without violating the stipulated laws and morals.
Dear honorable members of the National Council;
Morocco’s democratic victory is due to our adherence to the constitutional and democratic choice, led by His Majesty, King Mohammed VI. As for our party’s honorable position throughout the elections, it is mainly due to our militants’ noble struggle, upon which they managed to gain people’s confidence.
Our party’s remarkable management of several communes and regions, as well as the many respectable and positive results we brought upon to our respective citizens, have proven once again that we are serious, responsible and effective.
Our success stems from our democratic struggle within both social society and constitutional institutions, as well as our respective militant’s great sense of responsibility when managing public affairs from within their local and regional offices. PAM has always kept its promises and has never failed to serve the interests of Moroccan citizens.
I shall congratulate all Moroccan citizens upon making their democratic choice through votes, and I shall praise our militants who managed to gain people’s trust through a civilized political manner.
Dear honorable members of the National Council;
The experience we acquired as an opposition party has refined our political struggle, enriched our democratic ideology, and enlightened us about Morocco’s reality. We managed to be your voice against the government’s policies through analyses and arguments, thus earning a significant experience on the one hand, and a respected image within society on the other.
We stood as an opposition party for the good of our nation, and turned into a constructive propositional force to serve the interests of our fellow citizens by bringing upon development and progress, in collaboration with both PPS and PI parties.
Today, as we approach a new phase which is deemed open to all possibilities, we shall not give up on our political achievements, for they granted us a second spot during the elections.
Political work requires a thorough analysis of every stage, and today, we are required to respond to the choices that our public made. We have always been at the forefront of defending the values of democracy, development and modernization, therefore, our second spot reflects the fact that we will finally be able to implement our program and have our voices heard. In this respect, whatever our negotiations with the newly-appointed PM shall lead to, we will always stand in support of our national and civil causes.
Any step we take shall be in perfect harmony with our identity as a modernizing democratic party, and shall serve as an embodiment of the unitary stance emerging from our consultations and discussions.
Therefore, our party’s leading position shall enable us to fulfil our obligations towards our respective citizens and implement our economic program accordingly, for we feature high competencies who are deemed able to contribute productively to the government in its effort to meet the uprising challenges.
The people have spoken, and our party shall respond accordingly for the good of our nation. The people eye a new political phase which shall abide by a series of specifications that they set themselves on election day, in full respect of the electoral outcome, and without any boundaries.
Dear honorable members of the National Council;
The honorable position we managed to earn through the huge number of votes we obtained, does not only raise the question on whether we should participate in the government or not, but shall also address the building of our party and the strengthening of its structures, in order to preserve the trust people placed in us.
Earning second spot after a fierce electoral competition which was held under extraordinary circumstances, reflects the need to establish a democratic partisan institution, which is embodied in Moroccan society. Therefore, we are required to make more efforts to build a partisan formation that enjoys developed roles and expanded popularity, in the prospect of defending the rights and interests of citizens.
Our electoral success is not limited to the number of seats obtained, but to our political choices as well, for we adopted a participatory and consultative approach regarding our perception of social issues. We have proven that democracy as an organizational means, political discourse and moral responsibility, is the only way to gain the trust of our fellow citizens.
We have managed – through our courageous self-criticism, our managerial outcome within several institutions and respective regions, our bold and innovative electoral program, and our militants’ commitment – to gain the trust of Moroccan voters. Therefore, our potential political alliances in the future require the strengthening of our party and the deepening of its presence within Moroccan society.
May God guide us to what is best for our country, under the wise leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God protect him and grant him victory.
May peace and God’s mercy and blessings be upon you.
