Moroccan MPs Face Criticism for Resisting Coronavirus Fund Contributions

Confined to their homes, many parliamentarians still want to benefit from the advantages related to their function in this period of health crisis. Yet the presidents of the various parliamentary groups had explained to their colleagues that they should temporarily give up certain benefits because of the coronavirus affecting the kingdom, recalls Assabah.

It had therefore been planned that all parliamentarians would contribute to the special fund, by paying the benefits they receive for three consecutive months, in addition to one month’s salary. This implies that fuel, hotel room, and catering expenses should be paid into the fund. To these expenses are added those related to the regular study days organized by the deputies or to trips abroad, etc.

This attitude of certain parliamentarians has moreover relaunched the debate on the exorbitant budget of the parliament. The specialist in parliamentary affairs, Hamid El Abkari, proposes to reduce the number of parliamentarians in the two Chambers and to halve all the bonuses paid to them, without revising the Constitution. A measure that will reduce the cost of living of the State.