Wahbi Responds to Generation Z Demands: “Change Cannot Happen Outside the Institutions”
In the wake of ongoing youth protests led by “Generation Z,” which have included demands for the dismissal of the current government, Justice Minister Abdellatif Wahbi stated that any political change, including the question of whether the government stays or goes, cannot be outside the framework of the Moroccan constitution. During an interview with Al-Arabiya on Friday, October 3, 2025, Wahbi emphasized, “The constitution does not stipulate the ousting of the government due to demonstrations in the streets.”
Wahbi explained that the core issue is not the government’s departure, but rather identifying the real reasons that drove the youth to protest and addressing those at their roots, stating: “The problem lies in the issues that have troubled the youth, not just in changing the government.”
Regarding demands for improvements in the health sector, Wahbi noted that the government has made significant efforts in infrastructure by building new hospitals, but he admitted that these efforts are insufficient given that more than 700 Moroccan doctors emigrate abroad each year. He also stressed, “The law does not prevent students from pursuing their medical studies abroad,” referring to the ongoing debate surrounding the training of health professionals.
In discussing the current government’s responsibility in addressing crises, Wahbi highlighted that many of today’s problems stem from the accumulated policies of previous administrations, asserting that “major decisions are not made by a single government; it takes ten successive governments to build a comprehensive sectoral vision,” adding, “What the current government is doing today will be faced by the next government in the future.”
As for the possibility of engaging in direct dialogue with the protesting youth, the Justice Minister clarified that such dialogue should occur within the institutional framework defined by the constitution, indicating that “protest is a constitutional right, but one cannot demand it while simultaneously stepping outside the channels that the constitution lays out to exercise that right.”
Regarding minors who were detained following instances of violence and vandalism in some cities, Wahbi affirmed that these children cannot be held fully accountable, stating, “Minors do not bear responsibilities; they have rights, and we will deal with them through special legal procedures that consider their age and legal awareness.”
He further explained that some of these minors ventured into the streets under the influence of a virtual reality where the concepts of state or legitimate violence do not exist, considering that “what happened is not only a result of difficult social conditions but also a consequence of a lack of awareness about the limits of freedom and responsibility.”
In conclusion, the Justice Minister emphasized that the state’s approach to this group will be both legal and humane, free from any retaliatory logic, asserting: “These are our children, and we must protect and guide them, not seek revenge.”
