As Morocco prepares for upcoming elections, major parties have outlined their economic agendas, highlighting converging priorities on purchasing power, employment, and sovereignty. However, significant differences emerge on the means to achieve these goals. The parties' programs focus on wages, social aid, housing, and price control. For instance, the National Rally of Independents (RNI) proposes increasing the minimum wage to 5,000 Moroccan Dirham (DH) and adjusting social aid to account for inflation.
The parties' economic plans also reveal distinct approaches to financing. The Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) estimates its program at 350 billion DH and provides detailed funding sources. In contrast, the RNI announces 224 billion DH in additional spending, based on projected growth of 4-5%. The Progress and Socialism Party (PPS) proposes 575 billion DH, relying on 622 billion DH in additional tax revenue. These differing financing strategies underscore the challenges of implementing the parties' ambitious plans.
Employment has emerged as a shared priority, with parties proposing various initiatives to stimulate job creation. Both the RNI and PPS aim to create one million jobs, while the Socialist Union of Popular Forces (USFP) targets 250,000 industrial jobs. The PAM focuses on training and integration, whereas the PPS suggests that the state finance half of a young person's salary in a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) for 18 months. These proposals reflect the parties' distinct visions for Morocco's economic development.
The parties' programs also address fiscal policy, with several proposing measures to combat rent-seeking and promote redistribution. The Justice and Development Party (PJD) advocates for stricter conflict-of-interest regulations and enhanced asset disclosure. The Istiqlal Party suggests a higher tax rate of up to 40% for certain monopolistic or exceptionally lucrative activities. The PPS also proposes increasing the tax rate to 40% for hydrocarbons and telecommunications, while reducing it to 10% for small and medium-sized enterprises (TPME) with profits under 500,000 DH.
The parties' economic agendas also emphasize the importance of sovereignty, particularly in strategic sectors such as water, energy, food, industry, and digital technology. The Popular Movement (MP) advocates for national stockpiling and a temporary export ban. The Istiqlal Party proposes establishing reserves of fuel, cereals, and medicine. The USFP aims to increase renewable energy production to 60% of Morocco's electricity output. These proposals reflect the parties' concerns about ensuring Morocco's economic independence.
A key area of divergence among the parties lies in their views on the role of the state in the economy. The USFP and PPS advocate for strong public intervention in industry, public services, and redistribution. In contrast, the PAM combines social support with investment, while the RNI emphasizes protection and mechanisms favorable to the private sector. The PJD focuses on governance and production, and the Istiqlal Party seeks a balance between market forces, regulation, and sovereignty.
As the election approaches, the parties' economic plans have sparked debate about financing, execution, and the role of the state. While there is broad consensus on the need to address social urgency, employment, and sovereignty, significant differences remain on the means to achieve these goals. The parties' proposals will likely influence Morocco's economic trajectory in the coming years, and their implementation will depend on the outcome of the elections.
Key points
- Moroccan parties propose various economic plans ahead of elections
- Parties converge on priorities such as purchasing power, employment, and sovereignty
- Significant differences emerge on financing strategies and the role of the state
