King’s Decision to Sack Benkirane ‘in Line with Constitution’

Khalid Naciri, member of the political bureau of the Party of Progress and Socialism (PPS), has stated that King Mohammed VI’s decision to dismiss Abdelilah Benkirane is “perfectly in conformity with the spirit and the letter of the Constitution.”

Khalid Naciri, who served as Minister of Communication and government’s spokesperson between 2007 and 2011, commented on King Mohammed VI’s dismissal of Abdelilah Benkirane, saying that the decision does not violate the provisions of the Constitution.” According to him, “the Constitution does not necessarily mention the Secretary-General as the person who should be appointed from the party that ranks first in the legislative elections.

The PPS member explained that it was within the “obvious prerogatives” of the King to appoint another person from the same party to head the government, as Benkirane was unable to form the government majority.

“The reference to article 42 is valid. It is part of the Constitution and provides that the king is a supreme arbiter and responsible for the proper functioning of the institutions,” added Naciri. He noted that this opens a wide margin of interpretations and that the King’s interpretation is a “valid, obvious and most comfortable option.”

Following five months of negotiations with different political parties, Abdelilah Benkirane was unable to break the deadlock and form a government.

After his return to Morocco following his tour of African countries, the King was briefed on the current situation regarding the coalition government and made the decision to dismiss Abdelilah Benkirane from his position, said a communiqué from the Royal Cabinet.

The King has decided to appoint another member of the Party of Justice and Development to form a new coalition government, according to the same source.

Source :Morocco World News