PJD withdraws controversial proposal to ban dual nationals from Moroccan government roles
The PJD parliamentary group has decided to withdraw its proposed law aimed at banning dual nationals from holding ministerial positions. The announcement came on Monday, May 19, just before Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch was scheduled to respond to questions from both majority and opposition deputies about the state of education in Morocco.
In April 2023, the Islamist party had introduced an amendment to Organic Law No. 065-13, which regulates the organization and functioning of the government and the status of its members. This law was originally adopted during Abdelilah Benkirane's administration.
The PJD's proposal was reviewed on May 2 by the Justice, Legislation and Human Rights Commission in the House of Representatives. During the presentation, PJD deputy Abdessamad Haiker asserted that «members of the government must hold exclusively Moroccan nationality. Moroccans deserve a fully Moroccan government, and those who do not meet this condition should not be part of it».
This initiative to exclude dual nationals from ministerial roles sparked criticism from Omar El Mourabet, a former national council member residing in France. He condemned the move as «a serious mistake against Moroccans around the world, based on trivial pretexts, notably targeting some ministers of the current majority who hold foreign nationalities», in a statement on social media.
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