Mustapha Ibrahimi, a Justice and Development Party (PJD) lawmaker from Kenitra, said the program did not provide sufficient figures to support the commitments made by the government.
Speaking to Le360, he said he would wait to see how the pledges were put into effect before passing judgment.
His remarks came after El Mansouri presented her government’s program for 2026-2031 at a joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament, promising measures to ease pressure on household budgets, improve employment prospects for young people and encourage private investment.
Among the promises are free water and electricity for households whose bills fall below 100 dirhams and an increase in the minimum retirement pension to 3,000 dirhams.
Government spokesman Samir Belfkih, speaking to Le360, defended the program and outlined its seven priorities, saying protection of purchasing power was among the government’s main concerns.
He said the government also intended to tackle conflicts of interest and illicit enrichment and overhaul food distribution channels to reduce the role of middlemen.
Lawmakers from the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) and the Socialist Union of Popular Forces (USFP), both part of the ruling coalition, backed the program, particularly the proposals concerning young people who are neither employed nor pursuing education or training.
But Mustapha Lakhsem, a Democratic and Social Movement (MDS) lawmaker from Sefrou, said the government’s plans for advanced regionalization needed to translate into improvements in people’s daily lives.
“In my rural province of Sefrou, what people need most is access to water and electricity, schools and hospitals,” he told Le360.
El Mansouri has pledged to pursue an average economic growth rate of 5pc while keeping the budget deficit at 3pc of GDP.
The program also promises increased direct assistance to households and expanded training and employment opportunities for young people.
