Legislative elections : What representativeness for youth ?
As part of its careful monitoring of the major Moroccan political issues, which are numerous this summer (as it is since the beginning of the current year), the Amadeus Institute organized on August 26th in Rabat a workshop on the subject of the representativeness of youth people in the political scene. An issue undeniably crucial in light of the legislative poll planned on November 25th inaugurating the advent of the new Constitution, adopted on 1st July this year.
In this sense, the Institute has invited around a same table representatives of youth section of some political parties: Mr Ali Elyazghi from USFP, Mrs Loubna Amhair from Popular Movement and Mr Anas Doukkali from the PPS, in addition to representatives of politically engaged NGOs : Mr Mehdi Bensaid from Young Democrats Circle and Mr Khalid Baddou from Alliance of Independents and a representative from the Medias : Mr Saad Tazi, Editor in chief of the Moroccan French speaking daily Le Soir.
A first finding: the eruption on the public arena of the 20February Movement has highlighted the clear new interest of Moroccan youth people to major political issues. Beyond claims for social justice, struggle against corruption or moreover the implementation of employment public policy more in line with the realities of the labor market, it is undoubtedly the sign of a strong will to take the destiny in hand.
Several observers see it as a unique opportunity for the emergence of new political elite which will allow the so desired generational renewal of the Moroccan political class.
A challenge well understood by youth of political parties which readily acknowledge that the political ascension within the parties through Youth sections is a chimera. So can they integrate those youth people “with political interest but without any party affiliation”?
Destabilized by the hasten of the events since the famous King Speech of 9th March, Moroccan political parties are -regarding the potentialities- very criticized (as the very low number of programs and idea debates proposed) on their way of managing the integration process of young people in national electoral lists.
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This meeting resulted in a number of solutions such as the establishment of an internal democracy within the parties, the lift reluctances and the use of the path established by the New Constitution. However the crucial point here is not a generational one. The transition, if it occurs, would be by steps. The quota policy, cornerstone of this approach, is despite the diversity of political tendencies, a solution approved by all. The aim is to reach through a national list a Parliament refreshed by a wind of youth and thus partially renewed and more in conformity with the pyramid of age of the country. It surely will be less dominated by the current phenomenon of “notables power”.
It would concern youth representatives of political parties less than 35 years with a political journey as militant (activist) and significant experience on management of local affairs. The main objective of this discriminatory, but necessary measure, is to institute competency and knowhow as the sole criteria. It will be totally useless if the natural cycle of renewal of officials within political parties didn’t occur.
Next weeks will be decisive…
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