On September 19, 2026, Driss Lachguar, the first secretary of the Moroccan Union Socialiste des Forces Populaires (USFP), made an unplanned stop in Fès while traveling from Berkane to Taza and Meknès. The halt was initially intended as a brief electoral meeting but quickly transformed into a large gathering of supporters. Lachguar described Fès as a "bastion of activism" and used the opportunity to address the crowd.
During his speech, Lachguar criticized the parties in the tripartite government coalition, holding them responsible for Morocco's current situation. He called on voters to sanction these parties at the polls. The USFP leader accused them of voting against amendments and proposals previously defended by the USFP, only to later incorporate similar content into their own electoral programs.
Lachguar expressed his surprise at seeing that several proposals long defended by the USFP had been adopted by other parties. He questioned the purpose of participating in elections if other parties were now adopting what they had previously rejected. This, he argued, indicated a lack of genuine commitment to change.
The USFP leader highlighted the success of his party's campaign, noting the large turnout at USFP rallies. He attributed this to the party's connection with citizens and its proposals, despite efforts to mislead voters. Lachguar also criticized the campaign tactics of coalition parties, suggesting they behaved as if citizens had no political memory.
Lachguar discussed the issue of public financing, criticizing its allocation to categories and projects that did not face significant challenges accessing resources. He pointed out that young people, project initiators, and small enterprises often encountered obstacles in securing financing. In response, he proposed establishing a commission to review cases where banks rejected financing requests.
The proposed commission would allow for state intervention to compensate for bank financing in deserving cases. Lachguar suggested the state could cover 80 to 90 percent of the financing value for young project initiators. This initiative aims to facilitate access to financing for those who need it most.
The rally in Fès is seen as an indicator of the strong support for USFP candidates. Lachguar's speech and proposals reflect the party's stance on various issues, including electoral programs, government accountability, and access to financing. The USFP continues to campaign across Morocco, emphasizing its vision for the country's future.
Key points
- Driss Lachguar criticizes coalition parties for their past actions and current electoral programs.
- The USFP proposes a commission to review bank financing rejections and facilitate access to funds for young project initiators.
- Lachguar calls for voters to sanction coalition parties at the polls.
