Heated Parliamentary Debate Over Morocco’s 2027 Justice Budget as MPs Confront Ouahbi on Judicial Independence and Anti-Corruption Laws

RABAT (FesNews Media) — The Justice, Legislation, Human Rights, and Freedoms Committee at Morocco’s House of Representatives witnessed a heated constitutional and political debate on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, during the examination of the 2027 sectoral draft budgets for the Ministry of Justice and the Supreme Council of the Judicial Power (CSPJ), in the presence of Justice Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi and Committee Chairman Mohamed Ghiat.

The parliamentary session opened with an intense procedural clash regarding the constitutional principle of the separation of powers and judicial independence. Several lawmakers, including Amina Maelainine, Mohamed Hjira, and RNI deputies, objected to merging the budget discussions of the executive Ministry of Justice and the independent Supreme Council of the Judicial Power into a single proceeding, prompting Minister Ouahbi to state that separating the two debates relieves him of constitutional embarrassment.

Calls for Royal Pardon and Debate Over Article 3 of the Criminal Procedure Code

Speaking on behalf of the Justice and Development Party (PJD) Parliamentary Group, MP El Fatmi Ramid called for turning the page on three prominent human rights and social files through a Royal Pardon: former Bar President and ex-Minister Mohammed Ziane (84), detainees from the Hirak al-Rif movement, and young protesters detained during recent Gen Z socioeconomic demonstrations calling for improved healthcare, education, and employment.

MP Ramid also sharply questioned Justice Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi regarding anti-corruption enforcement following the restrictions introduced under Article 3 of the Code of Criminal Procedure on initiating public fund prosecutions. He raised concerns over potential conflicts of interest in major public-private infrastructure contracts, including the 280-billion-dirham seawater desalination program and pharmaceutical procurement, warning against creating a two-tier justice system.

Court of Cassation Building, Bar Exam Reforms, and RNI’s New Opposition Stance

Furthermore, the PJD lawmaker criticized the Ministry’s decision to demolish the historic Court of Cassation building in Rabat before completing alternative facilities, which resulted in overcrowding judges and staff within the Court of Appeal, while recalling past controversies surrounding the Bar qualification examination and recurring tensions with court clerks (Secrétariat-Greffe).

In a notable political shift following the October 2026 cabinet reshuffle, MP Sbir of the National Rally of Independents (RNI)—now speaking from the opposition benches—delivered a strong defense of legitimate wealth creators and entrepreneurs, stressing that lawful business success and investment should never be demonized and pledging constructive, patriotic opposition.

2027 Justice Budget Figures, Alternative Penalties, and Rural Court Digitalization

Presenting key judicial indicators, PAM MP Mohamed Hjira revealed that Moroccan courts issued 3,408 alternative penalty rulings between January and September 2026, including 1,647 community service sentences, while the Public Prosecution requested the rejection of 84% of minor marriage applications out of more than 12,700 petitions, urging the swift enactment of the revised Family Code (Moudawana) and Penal Code.

Meanwhile, Istiqlal MP Salma Lahmar and Popular Movement MP Fatima Zahra El Karoufi highlighted that while the Ministry of Justice’s 2027 budget rises by 6.12% to 5 billion dirhams (and the CSPJ budget increases by 16.39% to 4 billion dirhams), the fine collection rate dropped to 28%, warning that the creation of 300 new clerk positions will not offset 446 upcoming retirements and urging the timely publication of implementing decrees and the digitalization of rural courts.