Moroccan Parliament Emphasizes Interactive Legislative Session and Diplomatic Engagement
Alslam24, Rachid Al-Talbi Al-Alami, the President of the House of Representatives, affirmed on Monday the Council’s commitment to making its work relevant to national and international contexts, while meeting the expectations of Moroccan society. This move reflects the Parliament’s aspiration to be responsive to the people’s ambitions and current event
During the conclusion of the legislative session for 2022-2023, Al-Talbi Al-Alami highlighted that both opposition and majority components of the Council performed their constitutional duties with utmost respect for the Constitution and the Council’s internal regulations, while adhering to constitutional and institutional timeframes
Regarding legislation, the House of Representatives approved eight foundational laws concerning healthcare coverage, governance of the sector, empowerment of institutions, and human resources development to enhance healthcare services. It also focused on fostering scientific research in the health field, strengthening the foundations of the country’s social welfare system
The Council ratified several international agreements, reflecting Morocco’s status as a committed and open international partner on global, continental, and regional levels. In addition to these texts, the Parliament addressed other foundational and amendatory legislative matters encompassing various aspects of the country’s economic, social, and cultural life. This brought the total number of approved texts during the 34th session to 34, with the necessity to monitor their implementation and assess their impact on society
In terms of government oversight, three sessions were dedicated to the Prime Minister’s responses to the members’ questions, covering major current policies, such as food sovereignty, higher education, and women’s empowerment. Water-related issues and the state of Moroccan agriculture amid drought and climate changes were also important topics in the dialogue between legislative and executive authorities. A total of 340 questions were scheduled and discussed out of 855 accumulated questions, indicating a 40% programming rate
Written questions served as a tool for holding government officials accountable for regional and local issues that are as significant as sectoral policies. Approximately 2,700 written questions were addressed to the government, which responded with 1,331 answers, reflecting an institutional interaction rate of around 50%
Regarding evaluative tasks, the Parliament engaged in two surveys during this session and completed four other surveys, focusing on scrutinizing government actions. This parliamentary focus on economic, social, and cultural conditions and conveying concerns of various segments and sectors underscored the Council’s commitment to follow the nation’s affairs
In the field of parliamentary diplomacy and foreign relations, the House of Representatives continued its active and influential participation in international, continental, and regional parliamentary forums. The conference titled “Dialogue of Religions: Cooperation for a Shared Future” organized by the Moroccan Parliament, the Inter-Parliamentary Union, and religious institutions under the auspices of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, offered significant insights into interfaith relations in international and intercultural contexts
Furthermore, the Council reaffirmed its commitment to keep African issues prominent on the agenda of Moroccan parliamentary diplomacy. Advocating for Africa in various multi-party parliamentary forums, a seminar on “African Parliamentary Cooperation in the Face of Current Challenges” featured the participation of foreign affairs committee heads from African national parliaments
Overall, the Moroccan Parliament’s legislative session displayed an interactive approach to addressing national and global concerns while actively engaging in diplomatic affairs that emphasize the country’s commitment to regional and international collaboration
