Heba Press: Abdel Salam Belgarbi, Mohamed Zariouh
The appointment of Chakib Benmoussa, member of the political bureau of the National Rally of Liberals, led by the Prime Minister, at the head of the High Commission for Planning, has raised numerous questions and criticisms about the extent of the independence of this group sensitive. institution in current political circumstances.
The High Commission for Planning is a strategic institution on which the State relies to prepare statistical surveys and submit reports that help develop public policies and determine the characteristics of the country’s economic and social development. For this reason, its independence from any political or partisan influence is crucial to guarantee its integrity and objectivity.
Benmoussa is considered a leading figure in the National Rally of Liberals, which leads the current government. The appointment sparked growing concerns that this political affiliation might affect the nature of the delegation’s work, particularly with regard to its ability to evaluate government policies and uncover possible gaps in their implementation. The questions raised today relate to the extent of the capacity of the delegation, under the leadership of a member of the ruling party, to provide objective and transparent reports, and to exercise its oversight role without any bias or influence.
The main functions of the High Commission for Planning include the preparation of national statistics and the provision of an accurate inventory of the economic and social situation of the country. These reports are necessary to assess government performance and ensure that public policies are consistent with development objectives. If the institution is not independent, these reports risk being biased, which could undermine the quality of planning and decision-making.
Concerns over Benmoussa’s appointment are linked to the idea that an institution like the High Commission for Planning must be free of political or partisan influence to ensure that it carries out its work in a free and transparent manner. How can an institution directly linked to government policies objectively criticize these policies or reveal their imbalances? The independence of the delegation remains an essential element to ensure that its results are neutral and based on accurate data, and not on partisan affiliations or directives.
Critics see this appointment as an obstacle to achieving the delegation’s primary objective, which is to present a true and objective picture of the economic and social situation in Morocco. They ask: how can the delegation reveal imbalances or distortions in public policies if it is led by someone who belongs to the ruling party? This situation raises doubts about the capacity of the delegation to fulfill its traditional role as a neutral and independent institution.
The biggest challenge facing the delegation today is how to maintain its credibility and impartiality in light of this appointment. Any attack on its independence could lead to an erosion of confidence in its reports and the results of its studies, which could have a significant impact on policymaking in Morocco. If the delegation is unable to provide fair assessments of the economic and social situation, decision-makers may rely on inaccurate information, which can negatively impact future policy direction.
In the midst of this controversy, the best solution remains to review appointments within sensitive institutions such as the High Commission for Planning, to ensure that these institutions are able to carry out their tasks independently and impartially, away from any political influence. The priority must be to ensure that the delegation remains a public institution that reflects the reality of the country on the basis of precise and fair data, without being influenced by partisan tendencies or political pressures.
Pending any amendment or political decision likely to change this situation, the debate continues on how to preserve the independence of the High Commission for Planning and ensure that it remains a strong institution that contributes to strengthening transparency and accountability in the national level. This question remains at the heart of discussions on institutional reforms in Morocco, as many experts and observers emphasize the importance of separating sensitive national institutions from any political affiliation in order to ensure the continuity of their role of control and guidance in decision making.
