2 Moroccan Opposition Parties Call for Reforming Electoral Law

A general view of Cadablanca, Morocco. (AFP)
A general view of Cadablanca, Morocco. (AFP)
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2 Moroccan Opposition Parties Call for Reforming Electoral Law

A general view of Cadablanca, Morocco. (AFP)
A general view of Cadablanca, Morocco. (AFP)

Two major opposition parties urged Moroccan Prime Minister Saadeddine Othmani to launch political and electoral reforms that could lead to a political breakthrough in the country.

The Istiqlal and Progress and Socialism parties, which are reportedly close to forming an alliance, met on Tuesday in a meeting chaired by leaders Nizar Baraka and Nabil Benabdallah. The meeting reviewed the current political situation and future challenges facing democracy, read a joint statement.

Asharq Al-Awsat received a copy of the statement that said the meeting was held as part of the joint historic struggle for independence, defending territorial integrity and establishing a modern national democratic state based on social justice.

The parties addressed the negative repercussions of the country's political crisis, which resulted mainly from several structural and functional imbalances, embodied in the decline in trust in political action and elected national institutions.

They also discussed the challenges confronting democratic development in Morocco, the prospects for the next stage and the necessary implementation of the democratic choice that was approved by the 2011 constitutional document.

The two parties renewed their call on the Prime Minister to launch political and electoral reform workshops as part of dialogue and consultation with various political parties. They also stressed the importance of establishing other reforms that would consolidate democracy in the country.

They believe this will pave the way to develop a new political and social contract, which will serve as the critical entry point for establishing the new developmental model.



EU’s Borrell Urges Israel to Accept Lebanon Ceasefire ‘Today’

 European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell gives a statement to the media after his meeting with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, in Beirut, Lebanon, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP)
European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell gives a statement to the media after his meeting with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, in Beirut, Lebanon, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP)
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EU’s Borrell Urges Israel to Accept Lebanon Ceasefire ‘Today’

 European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell gives a statement to the media after his meeting with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, in Beirut, Lebanon, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP)
European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell gives a statement to the media after his meeting with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, in Beirut, Lebanon, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP)

The European Union's foreign policy chief urged the Israeli government on Tuesday to back a proposed ceasefire deal in Lebanon which he said has all the necessary security guarantees for Israel.

Speaking at a G7 Foreign Ministers meeting in Italy, Josep Borrell said there was no excuse for not implementing the deal with Iran-backed Hezbollah, adding pressure should be exerted on Israel to approve it immediately.

"Let's hope that today (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu will approve the ceasefire agreement proposed by the US and France. No more excuses. No more additional requests," Borrell said, criticizing hard-line Israeli ministers who have spoken against the deal.

Israel looks set to approve a US plan for a ceasefire with Hezbollah on Tuesday, a senior Israeli official said.

Borrell, who said he discussed prospects for a deal in a recent trip to Lebanon, said one of the sticking points was whether France should be included in a committee monitoring the implementation of the ceasefire, which the US is due to chair.

He said the Lebanese have specifically asked for France's involvement, but the Israelis have misgivings.

"This is one of the points that are still missing," he said.

Borrell also criticized what he saw as Western double standards on the International Criminal Court's (ICC) arrest warrants for Netanyahu, his former defense chief, and a Hamas leader, for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza conflict.

"You cannot applaud when the court goes against (Russian President Vladimir) Putin and remain silent when the court goes against Netanyahu," he said, urging European Union member states to support the ICC.

Italy, which holds the G7 presidency, said on Monday it was trying to broker a common position for the group on the ICC decision, but progress is hard since the US has said it does not recognizethe jurisdiction of the court and opposes the arrest warrant for Netanyahu.

The G7 comprises the US, Italy, France, Germany, Britain, Canada and Japan.