Benali: Unifying the Moroccan Left is 'Absurd,' Dialogue on 'Recreational Cannabis' is Necessary

In a candid assessment, Mustapha Benali, the Secretary-General of the Democratic Forces Front (FFD), has declared that attempts to unify Morocco's left-wing political landscape have become 'absurd.' Speaking at a press conference following the party's seventh national congress, Benali pointed to the recent 'failed' tripartite alliance between the Progress and Socialism Party, the Democratic and Social Movement, and the Unified Socialist Party as evidence that pre-election pacts are doomed to repeat their past failures.

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The recent attempts have shown that unifying the Moroccan left has become absurd, and that pre-election alliances cannot succeed.

Benali, whose party is colloquially known as 'the olive tree,' emphasized the FFD's commitment to proposing alternatives without resorting to evasive language. He recalled the party's founding goal of unifying the left ideologically, but stressed that today, the practical unification of the left is paramount. He lamented the current fragmentation and disunity within the left, contrasting it with the organized, albeit populist, discourse of opposing currents. This fragmentation, he argued, makes the unification of the left not just desirable, but essential.

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The 'olive tree' had the audacity to propose alternatives without using evasive language regarding the left.

Despite his pessimism about current alliance strategies, Benali clarified that this does not signify an abandonment of leftist principles. He posited that the left is not confined to political parties but exists within various segments of Moroccan society, including unions, associations, and individuals. True unity, he asserted, lies in collectively defending the rights of the underprivileged, with the overarching goal of 'building the social state'—a key outcome of the FFD's recent congress.

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From the perspective of a fighter in the Democratic Forces Front, I cannot pin my hopes on an alliance that says 'our limit is the election,' and then each party goes its own way afterward.

Addressing another critical issue, Benali touched upon the FFD's stance on cannabis legalization. He firmly stated that the party does not endorse drug consumption among Moroccan youth. However, he critiqued the sole reliance on criminalization as an ineffective strategy, noting that numerous countries have adopted different approaches. Citing the World Health Organization's evolving stance on cannabis, Benali reiterated the FFD's long-held belief that a dialogue on legalizing recreational cannabis is vital for Moroccan society. He highlighted that Morocco's previous steps towards legalizing medicinal cannabis have already yielded significant results, suggesting a pragmatic path forward.

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We do not advocate for Moroccan youth consuming drugs.