Preparations for the 2027 budget in several municipalities in Morocco's Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region are being overshadowed by debt worth billions. According to informed sources, the municipalities of Tetouan and M'Diq are struggling with accumulated files related to infrastructure development in neighborhoods, poor quality of public services, and a lack of implementation of approved work programs due to a lack of financing.
The municipality of Tetouan has entered a cycle of borrowing billions to develop infrastructure, with the ruling majority defending this approach and outsourcing neighborhood development to the Urban Planning and Quality company for speed and efficiency. However, opposition voices are criticizing the debt and calling for alternative solutions such as diversifying revenue, collecting dues and taxes, and encouraging investment.
Municipalities in M'Diq continue to prepare the 2027 budget amid accumulated debt from land expropriation and compensation for those affected, as well as debt from delegated management and the need to reduce billions of dirhams still to be collected. Despite repeated promises to implement decisions to collect dues and taxes, there has been no positive impact on budget revenues, and reliance on the Ministry of Interior's support continues.
A well-informed source noted that the 2027 budget project for all municipalities in the Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region is the last one before the upcoming municipal elections. Therefore, the October sessions for discussion and approval are expected to be a real test for fragile majorities and their development track record, as well as their ability to implement electoral promises and contribute to job creation and infrastructure development.
The same source added that most majorities in the northern region are experiencing internal conflicts and struggles over privileges, with little attention paid to local public issues and general interest. Only a small group of council members are concerned with these issues, which negatively impacts trust in elected councils, especially given their failure to fulfill commitments and address residents' complaints about poor public services.
The situation has sparked concerns about the ability of municipalities to manage their finances effectively and provide quality services to residents. With the municipal elections approaching, the performance of current councils will be under scrutiny, and their ability to address these challenges will be a key factor in the voters' decision.
As the deadline for budget preparation approaches, municipalities in the region will need to navigate these challenges and find solutions to their debt and financing issues. The success of their efforts will have a significant impact on the lives of residents and the overall development of the region.
Key points
- Debt worth billions is overshadowing budget preparations for municipalities in Morocco's Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region.
- Municipalities are struggling with accumulated debt from infrastructure development, land expropriation, and delegated management.
- The 2027 budget project will be a test for fragile majorities and their development track record ahead of the municipal elections.
