Morocco’s King Mohammed VI says improving public education and healthcare was a priority, but made no reference to the youth movement that has been staging nationwide protests for sweeping social reforms.
“We have set as priorities… the creation of jobs for young people, and the concrete improvement of the education and health sectors,” the monarch said in his annual address to the opening session of parliament on Friday.
The royal speech had been much anticipated by the protesters, who have taken to the streets almost every night since September 27.
The unrest has been fuelled by recent reports of the deaths of eight pregnant women at a public hospital in the city of Agadir, which critics condemn as a symptom of a failing system.
2030 World Cup
Many Moroccans have also expressed frustration at public spending as Morocco pushes ahead with major infrastructure projects in preparation for the 2030 World Cup, which it will co-host with Portugal and Spain.
The king pleaded that “there should be no contradiction or competition between major national projects and social programmes”.
The government made a fresh call on Thursday for dialogue with the protesters, saying their “message has been received” and vowing to “work quickly to mobilise resources and address shortfalls”.
Rallies have been largely peaceful, though some nights have seen spates of violence and acts of vandalism.
