Moulay Hicham El-Mahjari, a leader in the Authenticity and Modernity Party, has openly criticized what he describes as the culture of flattery and showmanship within political work. He asserted that the party does not need slogans as much as it needs activists from various backgrounds, prepared for serious work and engagement. He emphasized that the success of political parties is not measured by appearances or marketing, but by their ability to engage in real battles that lead to change, highlighting that his personal political journey reflects this conviction, and that true belonging requires honesty and confrontation rather than flattery.
During his speech at a conference on advanced regionalization held in Beni Mellal, El-Mahjari stressed that the Authenticity and Modernity Party does not seek a populist discourse to satisfy crowds but rather aims to take on responsibility and accountability. He argued that regionalization is not a new concept but rather an extension of a historical path that began during the reign of Hassan II and gradually evolved, particularly in the southern regions, which have long served as a model of coherence between the state and society. He affirmed that these roots give Moroccan regionalization a distinctive character that surpasses its administrative dimensions.
He addressed the disparities in the implementation of regionalization since the 1970s, pointing out the difference between local leaders who lack independence and those who have shown the capability to manage public affairs effectively. He noted that this disparity directly affects coordination between regions and central authorities, indicating that constitutional implementation has remained weak despite the stipulation for expanded regionalization. He attributed this to the absence of a clear political vision and mindsets that still revolve around centralism despite legal texts.
El-Mahjari did not limit himself to describing the problem but revealed manifestations of dysfunction in the distribution of competencies between local groups and ministries, particularly in areas like education and vocational training, where there is a lack of clarity regarding accountability, leading to confusion and chaos. He emphasized that the delegation of responsibilities to local groups must be accompanied by clear funding and precise implementation mechanisms so that regionalization does not become mere slogans without actual impact on citizens’ lives.
In conclusion, El-Mahjari expressed his disappointment with the performance of the previous government, which, despite issuing dozens of decrees, failed to establish an effective regional model. He called for a reordering of priorities and the formation of a national committee to supervise the development of a comprehensive strategic vision for the national territory. He reaffirmed the commitment of the Authenticity and Modernity Party to defend this initiative in the upcoming government, stating that regionalization is not merely a technical choice but a fundamental lever for modernizing the state and achieving spatial justice.
