HIBAPRESS – Rabat
The dismissal of Madiha Khiyer from the position of Minister of State for Vocational Training and Qualification, by royal decree upon the request of the Head of Government, has reignited the controversy surrounding the Istiqlal Party's choices for ministerial appointments, and opened the door to questions about the possibility of nominating Mustafa Taj to assume the same ministerial portfolio.
Amidst this controversy, voices have emerged calling on the leadership of the Istiqlal Party to review its governmental choices, considering that Mustafa Taj was more deserving of the opportunity to assume ministerial responsibility, and stressing the need for the Secretary-General of the party, Nizar Baraka, to bear his political responsibility for the names he nominated for ministerial positions.
These demands come in the wake of the dismissal of Madiha Khiyer, who had previously been convicted in a case related to fraud, deception, and impersonation, which has brought back to the forefront the debate about the criteria for selecting candidates for government positions, and the extent to which parties verify the backgrounds of the individuals they present for public office.
The controversy is also renewed regarding previous statements by Nizar Baraka about the Authenticity and Modernity Party's (PAM) stance on allying with the National Rally of Independents (RNI), after he revealed during a party meeting that the party rejected an alliance with the RNI, which raised questions about the Secretary-General of the Istiqlal Party speaking on behalf of another political party.
In light of these developments, attention is drawn to the position of the Istiqlal Party leadership regarding the demands calling for a review of its nominations and for political responsibility to be taken for the choice of Khiyer, amid questions about whether the party will nominate Mustafa Taj to fill the position of the dismissed minister, especially in light of a near consensus on his competence.
