In a report covered by Rissalat Al Oumma, Dr. Hassan Abiaba, University Professor and UC Political Bureau member, delivered a sharp critique of the 2019 Finance Bill during the 5th "Master Class" session.
Dr. Abiaba criticized the Finance Ministry for drafting budget policies behind closed doors without field studies or consultation with economic actors. His strategic breakdown focused on key issues:
Technocratic Opacity & Political Responsibility: He highlighted that the budget draft is filled with gaps, unexplained figures, and a lack of political vision. He criticized Parliament's weak political debate surrounding budget review, emphasizing that the parliamentary majority holds direct political accountability for passing these financial commitments.
Complex National and International Context: Budget planning takes place amid challenging domestic and global conditions—including private sector stagnation following consumer boycotts, warnings from Bank Al-Maghrib and the Court of Auditors, and international trade wars.
Rejection of Populism & Emotional Rhetoric: Stressing that economic development cannot be driven by populism or slogans, Dr. Abiaba famously noted that "rhetoric driven by social and religious emotions yields votes, but does not yield development."
Widening Fiscal Deficit: Highlighting the 23.7 billion MAD deficit recorded by August 2018, he projected that real funding shortfalls could reach up to 50 billion MAD if the government fulfills its social commitments and aligns with Royal Directives. He concluded that the current structural framework of both Parliament and Government represents an outdated model incapable of delivering a new development paradigm.
