Moroccan parliament green-lights new government program

By Khalid Mejdoub

RABAT (AA) - Morocco’s parliament has approved a political program proposed by a new coalition government headed up by recently-appointed Prime Minister Saadeddine Othmani.

In a parliamentary vote, 208 out of 395 MPs voted in favor of the program, 91 were opposed and 40 abstained.

Speaking to parliamentarians shortly before Wednesday’s vote, Othmani vowed to keep Morocco on the path towards political reform.

Earlier this month, King Muhammad VI approved the new coalition government led by Othmani, who is a member of Morocco’s ruling Justice and Development Party (PJD).

Last October, after the JDP swept parliamentary polls, former Prime Minister Abdelilah Benkirane was tasked with drawing up a coalition government.

The king later relieved Benkirane of the responsibility, however, after five months of negotiations with other parties failed to produce a workable agreement.