House of Councillors: Deadlocks over the distribution of parliamentary committees

House of Councillors: Deadlocks over the distribution of parliamentary committees

The recent meeting between the President of the House of Councillors, Mohamed Ould Errachid, and the heads of the parliamentary groups failed to reach a consensus on the distribution of positions within the bureau and the presidencies of the various parliamentary committees. This deadlock raises questions about the current political dynamics within the House of Councillors.

During a recent meeting, the President of the House of Councillors and the heads of the parliamentary groups failed to reach an agreement on the distribution of positions. However, this meeting led to a significant agreement on the strict application of the Parliamentary Code of Ethics. This Code was put in place to promote transparency and integrity within the institution, stipulating that no parliamentarian under legal proceedings may be elected to the bureau of the House of Councillors or chair the standing parliamentary committees.

Political leaders also supported the decision, stressing the importance of maintaining a certain level of ethics within parliamentary bodies. They agreed that, given the many accusations against some elected officials, it was imperative not to present the candidacy of those who are currently under judicial investigation. This decision reflects a collective desire to clean up the image of politics and protect the integrity of parliamentary action.

It should be noted that some influential advisors hoped to be able to count on the support of their secretaries general to obtain key positions, hoping to protect themselves against potential legal proceedings. This situation highlights the internal pressures and challenges facing elected officials, while public confidence in the political class is already shaken.

The two chambers of parliament had quickly adopted this code of ethics following the indictment of several elected officials and the imprisonment of some of them, often accused of embezzlement in the management of municipalities. This wave of indictments provoked a strong reaction from King Mohammed VI, who ordered the legislative institution to establish a binding Code of Ethics for elected officials, thus emphasizing the importance of a solid ethical framework for the proper functioning of democracy.

It is also important to recall that the arrest and conviction of certain parliamentarians have generated many questions among observers of political and partisan life, as well as in public opinion. The political parties of the government coalition are trying to exonerate themselves from their responsibilities in the face of the accusations against their leaders. They maintain that the facts alleged are mainly linked to the management of municipalities and not to their actions as parliamentarians. This distinction raises questions about the political and ethical responsibility of elected officials in the exercise of their functions.

According to the latest version of the amendments to the internal regulations, any MP who is being prosecuted for a crime or an offence that undermines their honour must refrain from attending or participating in parliamentary work and activities until a final judgment is rendered by the courts. The internal regulations also prohibit any MP in question from participating in the inaugural session of the first session of the legislative year chaired by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, as well as the inaugural session of the spring session. Consequently, no MP who is being prosecuted may occupy a seat on a standing committee, the bureau of the House, a temporary exploratory mission, a temporary thematic working group or a committee of inquiry.

Read also: Mohamed Ould Errachid (PI) elected President of the House of Advisors for the second half of the 2021-2027 legislature

In addition, the reform proposal qualifies as crimes against honor offenses such as theft, fraud, breach of trust, corruption, influence peddling, embezzlement and embezzlement of public funds.

Judicial delays: Suspense surrounding elected officials

It is important to remember that several parliamentarians and local elected officials are currently involved in legal proceedings on a variety of charges, some of which are of significant gravity. At present, at least a dozen parliamentarians are in detention due to offenses of different levels.

Administrative complaints have been filed by several walis and governors against many presidents of communes and local elected officials. A central committee, set up by the Ministry of the Interior, has been tasked with investigating the cases in question. These steps have already led to a series of suspensions, pending decisions by the administrative courts.

Several examples are given, notably in Tangier, where the president of the municipality and three of his deputies saw their functions suspended for mismanagement of certain public contracts. In Taza, the president of the municipality, Abdelouahed Massoudi, will be suspended from October 24. This municipality had been the subject of an inspection by the General Inspectorate of Territorial Administration last February, and Massoudi had preferred to resign in order to anticipate the suspension measure.

The discoveries made by the Court of Auditors reveal significant flaws in the management of finances and human resources in the municipality of Rabat. Salaries were paid until the end of February 2023 to six civil servants who were either retired or deceased. In addition, 77 civil servants received salaries without being registered on the official list of employees of the municipality. These revelations have highlighted serious problems of management and transparency. Thus, the report highlighted the municipality's inability to provide an accurate count. A gap of 216 employees was observed, with 48 civil servants not declared. This situation led to questions about the rigor of administrative processes and the transparency of the municipality's operations.

In Casablanca, the administrative court recently ordered the dismissal of several elected officials, who were already suspended from their duties pending the final decision. Among the elected officials affected by this decision are the presidents of the municipalities of Oulad Azzouz, Oulad Zaydane, and Oulad Si Bouyahya. The decision also concerns an elected official from the municipality of Dar Bouazza, as well as several members of the municipalities of Oulad Zaydane, Dar Bouazza, and Settat. These dismissals are part of a broader context of administrative reforms aimed at improving the management of local affairs.

On the other hand, some representatives of the Ministry of the Interior prefer to wait before implementing these decisions or revealing the reports of the inspection commissions, although they constitute a strong signal in the fight against corruption and strengthen the role of the control bodies.

In the province of Benslimane, a climate of suspense reigns in Mansouria, where a decision from the Ministry of the Interior is awaited after the submission of a report by the commission of the General Inspectorate of Territorial Administration. The delay in the publication of this crucial decision, which will determine the future of the president of the commune in office for 27 years, raises questions about the role of the governor of the province.

The commission of the General Inspectorate of the Ministry of the Interior completed its research on the files of the commune of Mansouria on June 7, after an audit period covering 2011 to 2023. A report described as "scathing" was written on this subject.