Akhannouch: Criticisms ignore 'exceptional circumstances'; we will reach one million jobs

From the perspective of Hespress, a Moroccan news outlet, Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch's address to Parliament was a robust defense of his government's performance amidst challenging global and domestic conditions. The Prime Minister directly confronted criticisms, characterizing them as attempts to "fragment" the government's achievements and ignore the "exceptional circumstances"—including structural and global challenges—that have shaped its tenure.

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The criticisms that attempt to fragment this record or isolate some manifestations of constraint from their general context ignore that what has been achieved is the fruit of governmental work that operated in an exceptional circumstance, where the challenges were not circumstantial but structural and global.

Akhannouch emphasized the government's commitment to "major initiatives" such as universal social protection, healthcare reform, and modernizing public education. He portrayed these as evidence of "boldness in decision-making" and a "clear vision," positioning his government as one that prioritizes public service over political expediency. The Prime Minister's remarks aimed to counter what he termed a "logic of belittling," urging Moroccans to distinguish between those who "work" and those who merely "comment."

A key focus of the address was the economy and job creation. Akhannouch proudly announced the creation of approximately 850,000 jobs between 2021 and 2025, averaging 170,000 annually, despite agricultural sector difficulties. He projected exceeding one million non-agricultural jobs by the end of 2026, a significant achievement that directly addresses youth unemployment and economic development goals. This narrative of economic progress, particularly in job creation, is central to the government's self-portrayal.

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We do not claim perfection, but we reject the logic of belittling that claims to outbid, because Moroccans today distinguish between those who work and those who comment, between those who carry responsibility and those who carry the tools of destruction.

Furthermore, the Prime Minister highlighted substantial growth in investment, both foreign and public, and significant advancements in water desalination projects and agricultural support. These initiatives, presented as responses to climate change and economic needs, are framed as critical successes. For a Moroccan audience, as reflected in Hespress's coverage, these achievements are not just statistics but tangible evidence of the government's efforts to navigate complex challenges and improve the lives of citizens, particularly in the face of drought and global economic instability.

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We have created about 850,000 jobs during the period between 2021 and 2025, at an average of about 170,000 jobs per year, despite the difficult conditions of agriculture.