Morocco will allocate an extra 16 percent for healthcare and education next year, the royal palace reported on Sunday. After weeks of protests by the youth movement Gen Z 212, the budget will increase to 140 billion dirhams, equivalent to more than 13 billion euros. According to the Reuters news agency, this brings expenditure on healthcare and education to around 10 percent of Moroccan GDP.
The announcement follows a council of ministers led by King Mohammed VI. In the palace statement, the king emphasizes that investments in human capital are “crucial for the future of the country.”
In recent weeks, young people have taken to the streets in several Moroccan cities to protest for better healthcare and education and against corruption. The authorities initially took tough action against the demonstrations, resulting in at least three deaths.
Elections
The Council of Ministers also approved two draft laws on Sunday in the run-up to the next parliamentary elections, containing measures to promote the participation of women and young people and combat corruption.
More flexible rules will apply to candidates under the age of 35 and, according to the bills, they will be reimbursed for 75 percent of their campaign costs.
It is not yet clear whether the youth movement will be satisfied with the government’s promises and whether the protests will end.
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After a week of protests and repression, discontent among Moroccan Gen Zers continues to smolder: ‘What they are doing now only fuels the fire’
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