Latest news with #Georges-LouisBouchez
Ya Biladi
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
Belgium's MR Party pushes for recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara
In the context of growing bilateral cooperation between Morocco and Belgium in security, economy, and energy, Georges-Louis Bouchez, president of the Reformist Movement (MR), sees an opportunity to win over a significant base of dual-national voters. For years, the Belgian liberal party has been trying to attract this demographic. Invited to Tetouan last weekend by Belgian entrepreneurs for a conference, the liberal leader also added a diplomatic dimension to his visit by meeting with the Minister of Justice, Abdellatif Ouahbi, the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), in Rabat. In a video released on Wednesday, Bouchez introduced a bill aimed at recognizing Morocco's sovereignty over the Sahara and supporting the autonomy plan proposed by Rabat. The newspaper La Libre Belgique devoted an article in its May 14 edition to the MR's initiatives to «win over Belgian-Moroccan voters», particularly through this bill concerning a region «currently considered a 'non-self-governing territory' by the UN». Bouchez claims to have already visited Laayoune and Dakhla and believes that «it is now clear that the sovereignty and administration of Western Sahara are effectively and legitimately in Morocco's hands». «I hope this approach will help me build a majority of support among other political parties, while also taking into account certain demands from neighboring countries», Bouchez added. «I hope this approach will help me build a majority of support among other political parties, while also taking into account certain demands from neighboring countries», Bouchez added. Strengthening the Candidate and Voter Base The Belgian newspaper notes that the liberals have long-standing ties with Morocco, the country of origin for many dual-national voters. Two years ago, a group of five Brussels MR elected officials visited Morocco. In this context, Bouchez aims to strengthen his relationships with center-right parties in various countries to counterbalance the left, ensuring a solid base of voters — and potentially even Belgian-Moroccan candidates. However, within other center and left-wing parties, dual-national candidates seem to be gaining ground, as evidenced by those from the Socialist or Labor Party. With his stance on the Sahara issue, Bouchez is making a bold move to restore his image with the Belgian-Moroccan community. He still faces backlash for past controversial remarks about the Moroccan community, which he previously described as «people who have houses in Morocco and receive social benefits in Belgium».
Morocco World
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
Belgian Party Proposes Bill to Recognize Morocco's Sovereignty Over Western Sahara
Rabat – Georges-Louis Bouchez, President of Belgium's Reformist Movement Party, has announced submitting a bill to Belgium's federal parliament to recognize Morocco's sovereignty over Western Sahara. The party's website confirmed the news today, noting that Bouchez announced the news during his visit to Morocco, where he held a series of diplomatic meetings seeking to strengthen ties between Rabat and Brussels. 'These initiatives are part of a long-term vision based on judicial cooperation, shared security, and support for a political plan to ensure stability in this region of Morocco,' the statement said, adding that the bill notably seeks a strong support for the Autonomy Plan as the only credible political solution to end the dispute over Western Sahara. Bouchez highlighted the viability of the Moroccan plan for a peaceful solution to the long-standing dispute, noting that the region is now an 'area of development, stability and peace under Moroccan administration, as he personally observed during his visits to Laayoune and Dakhla.' The Belgian party called on Belgium to clarify its position on the dispute, noting that the current context and historical neutrality no longer 'reflect the current geopolitical developments.' A recognition of Morocco's position, according to the party, is not against the international law and will not undermine it; instead, it will encourage a realistic political solution in line with conditions on the ground. Belgium has frequently stressed the importance of the autonomy initiative as a serious and credible political solution to end the dispute. However, a full and direct recognition of Morocco's sovereignty over its southern provinces will add to the country's diplomatic momentum as many countries are joining the chorus in support of its national cause. As many as 113 countries support the Moroccan autonomy initiative, viewing it as a good basis, and the majority of them look at it as the only feasible political solution to end the dispute. This is in addition to the unambiguous support of Morocco's territorial integrity by major world powers, including the US and France. The recent wave of recognition unlocked the door for many countries that have joined the international community to support the Moroccan proposal, including recently Korea. Earlier this month, Korea endorsed Morocco's autonomy initiative while describing it as the ultimate and most viable path towards resolving the territorial dispute over the Sahara. 'Korea takes note of the Moroccan autonomy proposal presented in April 2007 to the Secretary-General of the UN and welcomes serious and credible Moroccan efforts to move the process forward towards a resolution of this issue,' Korea's government announced on May 9. The statement dealt a new setback to the Algerian regime, which continues to cling to its support for the Polisario Front, the separatist group that challenges Morocco's territorial integrity. Tags: Algeria and Western SaharaBelgium and Morocco
