Description: Morocco’s monarch, King Mohammed VI addressed the Parliament and all elected officials in the country urging them to immediately act on the necessary socio – economic issues plaguing the country. The Gen Z 212 protest movement has been demonstrating the country’s spending practices which have impacted crucial sectors such as healthcare and housing. The King, as the ultimate political authority in the country, did not directly address the civil unrest, instead he opted to criticize the elected officials for failing to implement crucial programs which are complementary to the country’s envisioned development. Protesters found the King’s address to the nation underwhelming and warned that if his criticism is not taken seriously, the demonstrations would continue to intensify.
Impact: The King’s criticism towards the Parliament and the elected officials in the country served as a measure of bridging the gap between the incumbent government and the youth protest movement. The Gen Z 212 movement seemed unfazed by the King’s speech and justifiably issued warnings for continuing the civil unrest in the country. Protesters have so far outlined concrete demands and called for the resignation of the country’s Prime Minister, a decision that relies on the King, and have expanded public support in their reformist charter for the country. Instability still persists despite the latest pivoting by the King and the government with protests expected to continue in the upcoming period.