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Africa North
Skeptical Moroccans look hopefully to Islamists
2007-09-01
Supposedly, moderate Islamists. Uh-huh.
FEZ, Morocco (Reuters) - When asked who will get his vote in Morocco's parliamentary elections next month, 70-year-old Mohamed Mahbou looks up from his game of cards and anger flashes in his eyes. "In my life I voted many times. I no longer have confidence in any of the parties," he said.

Mahbou grew up in the labyrinthine medina of Fez where he had a small business selling fritters. When buildings in his neighborhood began to crumble, the council rehoused the inhabitants in a distant suburb. He says he now earns about 3-1/2 dirhams ($0.42) per day hawking cigarettes in the neighborhood of Hay A'ttaj, where poverty and unemployment are rife and mounds of rubbish lie uncollected in open spaces.

Embittered by unfulfilled promises, Mahbou has decided to vote in September 7 parliamentary elections for a party that has avoided grand promises -- the moderate Islamist Justice and Development Party (PJD). "At least they are frank and realistic," he says. "They've made no promises but the only person who defends our cause, the miserable life we are leading, is (PJD deputy Lahcen) Daoudi."
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#2  #1 "I no longer have confidence in any of the parties"
Me neither.
Posted by: Glenmore 2007-09-01 08:46

I don't know, Glenmore, I have GREAT confidence in BOTH US major political parties. I'm 100% certain they're going to screw me, raise my taxes, try to take away even more "guaranteed" freedoms, and spend like drunken sailors on the last day of port call. If we had ten parties, I'd feel the same about all ten. Politicians are a pox upon civilization.
Posted by: Old Patriot   2007-09-01 21:19  

#1  "I no longer have confidence in any of the parties"
Me neither.
Posted by: Glenmore   2007-09-01 08:46  

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