Earthquake reconstruction in Morocco will remain slow

Significance Even as thousands of quake victims are still awaiting the government's assistance, the quake zone's political and economic marginalisation have meant that little political blowback has reached the monarchy or the upper echelons of the government, which will remain preoccupied by the country's still relatively modest growth rates and high unemployment numbers. Impacts The earthquake, despite making international news, did not fundamentally dent Morocco's image as a safe tourist destination. The authorities' response reinforced national and international perceptions of the king's aloofness. The opposition will attack the government on rising unemployment.