Lido Casablanca Under Royal Influence
The article addressed the issue of the transfer of ownership of the historic Lido complex on Ain Diab Corniche in Casablanca. Unexpectedly and without an official announcement, the lease agreement for the site was transferred from "Bleen Siel" to "Calwa," a company affiliated with "Atlas Hospitality," the hotel arm of the Al-Mada group, which is connected to the royal family. The process was presented as a routine administrative decision during an exceptional session of the city council in August; however, investigations revealed that the benefiting company appeared weeks before the vote, and no competition or request for proposals was held, raising questions about the transparency of the process and its underlying motives. The incident raises concerns about the interference of official and economic influence, especially since Al-Mada is a major player in the real estate and hotel markets, with ties to family and financial interests linked to the royal family. An analysis of the investigation indicated that the case reflects a pattern of economic expansion connected to leadership centers, where authority overlaps with investments, threatening the separation between politics and economics. Thus, this deal is not merely a tourism investment; it prompts questions regarding transparency standards and the criteria for asset distribution of high value in Morocco, particularly considering the relationship between the royal family, its companies, and the broader economic landscape.
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