Address of Speaker of House of Representatives Habib El Malki on Opening 2nd Legislative Session of 4th Legislative Year of 10th Legislature
Dear Deputies,
Under the provisions of Article 65 of the Constitution, we open the second legislative session of the fourth legislative year of the tenth legislature in highly exceptional circumstances. We begin this session in an unprecedented human, national, and international context. This universal context marked by the outbreak of the Coronavirus, which is about to make one of the most significant changes in human history, and might alter its course. It also constitutes a turning point in international relations, social organization, culture, and values and principles. However, what is essential today is to organize the fight against this pandemic that is causing unprecedented health crises and calamities that countries, organizations, and scientists were not able to contain. Yet, this does not mean that we should give up. On the contrary, we should structure the fight against this evil, not only through containing its source but also through addressing its health, social, and economic impacts. These impacts will be severe, as they will strain public budgets, and increase public expenditures and endanger the world’s future.
In this respect, we proudly note that our country took this path in resistance. In addressing this pandemic, Morocco has shown the uniqueness of its model under the leadership of HM King Mohammed VI, may God protect Him, who leads once again, in this crisis, Morocco’s fight against this pandemic through strong will in containing it, firm collective national determination in addressing it, and through foresight and wisdom. This has eased the national social mobilization in all sectors in this defining moment, to overcome these difficult circumstances.
The precautionary measures ordered by HM the King, either the ones relating to imposing the state of public health emergency to contain the outbreak of the pandemic, or providing health supplies, or providing the financial, economic, and social resources necessary to accompany the state of public health emergency and to contain the extraordinary economic circumstances marking national economy, reflect the logic of historical responsibility in such difficult moments.
In such harsh circumstances, we owe to the view of HM the King, and his high directives the engineering of fighting plans that will hopefully get our country to overcome this phase with minimal losses. They will also allow our country to spread hope and optimism regarding a better future, and to stave off desperation.
Among the accompanying measures that deserve praise is the creation of a special fund to fight Coronavirus following the high orders of HM the King. The amount of contributions to this fund, and the voluntary national fervor shown by institutions, individuals and the national capital to support it, have proven again the high spirit of solidarity and sacrifice of Moroccan people, and their understanding of these values, to collectively overcome this harsh stage.
On another note, the measures taken by public authorities as Government and public institutions following Royal directives, and to which adhered the national financial institutions and social security bodies, to preserve the incomes of the different groups affected by the state of public health emergency, have shown the deep-rootedness of solidarity, and the prioritization of responsibility by the Moroccan State under the leadership of HM the King to not give up on any of the citizens in such difficult circumstances. This does not only embody the solidarity aspect of the Constitution regarding bearing the costs and impacts of calamities and disasters, but also materializes the principles of collective living in difficult and critical circumstances.
The measures and solidarity actions taken by Morocco on all levels embody the meaning of a state that protects all its citizens and their interests.
On the front line of the health battle against this pandemic, all human and technical resources, and the essential utilities were mobilized to address this pandemic. This is an opportunity to pay tribute to the medical and paramedical civil and military staff, namely doctors, nurses and personnel of civil protection. These people are on the front line of this battle and deserve all praise and appreciation regarding their enormous sacrifices and efforts to contain this pandemic and treat the infected patients.
Also, this is an occasion to pay tribute to the Royal Military Forces, operating under the leadership of their Commander-in-Chief HM King Mohammed VI, who protect the national borders, and who are now assisting the national security officers in implementing the provisions of the decree-law on the state of public health emergency.
I would also like to seize this opportunity to salute the officers of public authorities, national security, Royal Gendarmerie, and Auxiliary Forces who make considerable efforts to preserve security and implement the state of public health emergency following the necessary measures and ensuring the continuity of life in conformity with the requirements of the situation.
Besides, I want to seize this chance to commend the efforts of teachers who ensure the continuity of learning by using modern communication technologies, and journalists who provide the circulation of news.
On another note, we should praise and appreciate the efforts of the people who work hard to ensure supplying markets with the necessities in such an exceptional situation, namely farmers and traders in the Moroccan countryside. I would also like to seize this opportunity to commend the enormous efforts of sanitation workers who work in harsh circumstances and bear heavy burdens.
Besides, we should seize this occasion to laud the efforts of some national industries, who were able, in record time, to create and develop equipment and products our country and the world need, namely ventilators and face masks, and other medical supplies necessary to face this pandemic. I want to seize this chance to pay tribute to these national skilled and experienced people, and the national capital.
Dear Colleagues,
Despite the challenging phase we are undergoing, institutions continue to carry out their responsibilities and practice their competences with the pace required by this phase. In this context, the House pursues exercising its constitutional powers. Thus, it was essential to respond quickly to the call for a meeting by the Internal Affairs, Communes, Housing, and Urban Policy Committee on Monday, March 23rd, 2020. The meeting that was marked by the approval of the draft decree-law enacting special measures to the state of public health emergency, which is part of the necessary urgent precautionary measures, under the provisions of the Constitution and the House's Rules of Procedure.
Before that, the Finance and Economic Development Committee held a meeting devoted to presenting a draft decree on creating the Special Fund to Fight the Coronavirus COVID-19, established following the high directives of HM King Mohammed VI to mitigate the social, health, economic and financial impacts of this pandemic. The same Committee held another meeting on Tuesday, April 7th, 2020, to examine and vote on a draft decree-law on suspending the foreign-debt ceiling in alignment with the requirements of the current situation and following the provisions set out in Article 81 of the Constitution.
These legislative initiatives come to implement the provisions of the Constitution and the House's Rules of Procedure, and following the relevant procedures.
In this same respect, the Social Sectors Committee held a meeting with the participation of the Health Minister, who presented the precautionary health measures taken to face the outbreak of this pandemic.
On this occasion, I would like to praise the contribution of all parliamentary groups and caucuses in these two meetings, and the collective consensus of the House's components around the goal of putting an end to this pandemic and its dangers. I would also like to praise the understanding and cooperation that marked the interaction between the legislative and executive branches.
I would also like to seize this chance to praise the engagement of the House's members in the national efforts to face this pandemic, primarily through their financial contribution to the fund established for this purpose, and the work carried out by deputies in their constituencies. The praise is also owed to the House's personnel and its social associates for their financial contributions and engagement in such citizenship initiatives.
Dear Colleagues,
Such harsh circumstances require more vigilance and decisiveness to win this fight to put an end to this pandemic and protect our country. We are also required to pursue the mobilization for adhering to the measures established by the public authorities regarding safety, hygiene, and respect for the instructions to stay at home and to display a spirit of collective living, synergy, and solidarity.
These are not strange for Moroccan people, who have once again demonstrated their keen awareness and a deep-rooted sense of cooperation and unity. These are empowered by the Royal will and leadership of HM King Mohammed VI, who is wisely leading the fight against this pandemic to overcome this situation with minimal losses.
Indeed, this extraordinary context will prevail over the legislative session we are opening today. In this respect, we have to make these session’s works, either regarding organization, arrangements, attendance, or content, relevant to these exceptional circumstances, with strict respect to the provisions of the Constitution and the House’s Rules of Procedure.
In this context, all the House’s components were keen to pursue their work regarding control, legislation, and evaluation of public policies per the Constitution, and to be part of the institutions who contribute to fighting this pandemic through suggesting solutions, and offering political and institutional support to the other authorities. This is a message to remain vigilant and active in all ways while respecting the health safety requirements.
It is our duty, ladies and gentlemen, to accompany and stimulate the public measures implemented to face this pandemic and its various impacts, and to prioritize them. Yet, we must also pursue the implementation of our legislative and control programs through examining the parliamentary and Government bills proposed during the intersession, and the ones that will be submitted during this session, mainly those related to fighting this pandemic and its impacts.
We, ladies and gentlemen, are in one collective battle. We have one mutual goal and one main task, which is fighting this pandemic and its impacts. This entails putting all legitimate political differences and conflicts aside and postponing evaluation. This path is the one the House is following today, and the one adhered to by the House’s components, embodying the national consensus during this defining battle.
Our aim and central task today are to further rally around HM the King, may God protect Him, and to address messages to the public opinion, civil and military medical crews, public authorities and national security, to our children, and our youth that this stage requires vigilance, discipline, and solidarity. It also requires that we stay at home, because our enemy, humanity’s enemy, is vicious, and fighting it requires social solidarity and national unity. It also requires respecting the decisions and measures taken by the public authorities, which aim at protecting society, putting an end to this pandemic, and containing its impacts.
To conclude, we call upon Almighty God to grant his mercy to those who died because of this pandemic and grant their parents and families patience. We also call upon Him to assist us in fighting this pandemic and its impacts, and to protect our country from any misfortune, for it to continue its development with a stronger will and firmer determination and resolution, under the leadership of His Majesty may God protect Him.
Thank you for your attention.