Moroccan Prime Minister Saad Eddine Othmani has reshuffled his cabinet, reducing the number of portfolios from 39 to 24. Most ministers of the sovereign and economic sectors have retained their posts.
King Mohammed VI received Wednesday in Rabat members of the government in its new composition after it approved the appointment of new ministers nominated by the Ottoman, the official news agency reported.
The revised line-up includes six new ministers. With the exception of the Ministry of Justice, ministers of the sovereign and economic sectors (finance, agriculture and industry) retained their posts.
King Mohammed VI chaired a meeting of cabinet members during which they presented the general directions for the draft budget 2020, according to a statement by the Royal Court.
In a speech marking the 20th anniversary of his accession to the throne last August, the king announced the amendment, aimed at "renewing positions of responsibility."
With the exception of the Center for Progress and Socialism (center-left), which announced the withdrawal from the government prior to this amendment, the new configuration maintained party components, as well as technocrats (non-partisan competencies).
AFP quoted a government source as saying that this reshuffle is "a first step in a new path" launched by King Mohammed VI "in order to consolidate gains and correct imbalances," noting that the new government is the smallest in the history of Morocco.
"It is not just a cabinet reshuffle, but a restructuring of the executive, to take the form of an effective working group capable of meeting the aspirations of the people and the king," the source said.