Adel al-Baytar unleashes criticism toward Abdelilah Benkirane: Enough of exploiting the “Arab Spring” slogan!
During a discussion on the draft 2026 budget law within the Finance Committee of the House of Representatives on Wednesday, al-Baytar, a member of parliament from the Authenticity and Modernity Party, emphasized that the stability of the Kingdom “does not rely on individuals or political organizations, but derives its strength from the wise leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI and the robustness of institutions.”
The parliamentarian clarified that the Authenticity and Modernity Party views the recent protests in some Moroccan cities as “a legitimate expression of a developed political and intellectual awareness that reflects the aspirations of youth for a more just and equitable Morocco.” He added that the party “positively engages with this societal dynamic, given its alignment with its positions advocating the correction of accumulated imbalances in the fields of education, health, and employment.”
In response to those who believe that these protests indicate the failure of the current government, al-Baytar stressed that “linking youth protest movements, such as Generation Z or the residents of Ait Boukmaz, to the failure of government performance is exaggerated and inaccurate,” noting that “these movements cannot be compared to the Hirak protests in the Rif or Jerada, which had a different social nature.”
Al-Baytar also recalled Benkirane’s positions during his tenure as prime minister in 2012 when he argued that “protest in the street was no longer justified after the election of a legitimate government,” questioning with astonishment: “How can someone who rejected protests when in power talk today about the return of the Arab Spring?”
He concluded his remarks by affirming that Morocco, under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, “possesses a solid political and societal immunity that enables it to overcome challenges and continue the path of reform and development with confidence and steadfastness.”
