Political System

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The Moroccan political system has been monarchical since the founding of the state in the 8th century

Monarchical Institution

​With it its roots and historical legitimacy going back twelve centuries, the Monarchy in Morocco can claim, rightly, a real influence over national public life in its two dimensions, temporal and spiritual. This implies the role of this institution throughout the eight dynasties that succeeded in Morocco, from the Idrissids to Alawites.

Its role has been variously emphasized and codified in the constitutions of 1962, 1970, 1972, 1992 and 1996, and it is now called, according to the new Constitution of 2011, a “citizenship-based monarchy”, guarantor of the nation’s fundamentals. Hence, the significance of the two-key elements in this 2011 constitution:

• The deletion of any reference to the sacredness of the king's person, substituting it by the more modern notion of inviolability and respect due to the Sovereign, (Article 46).

• The explicit and detailed codification of the King’s powers, as Commander of the Faithful (Amir Al Mouminine), in charge of religious matters (Article 41) and as Head of State, symbol of the unity of the nation, guarantor of the permanence and continuity of the State, ultimate arbiter between institutions, and protector of the nation’s democratic options (article 42).

The key element of the new constitution is undoubtedly one that poses, immediately and unequivocally, the regulative principles of the Moroccan political system in its new configuration: “Morocco is a constitutional, democratic, parliamentary and social monarchy. The constitutional system of the Kingdom is based on the separation, balance and collaboration of powers, as well as citizenship and participatory democracy and the principles of good governance and the correlation between responsibility and accountability” (para.1).

His Majesty the King Mohammed VI has the highest authority in the state, being the Commander of the Faithful (Amir Al Mouminine) and highest commander of the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces.  His Majesty the King has several authorities and powers such as choosing the Prime Minister from political party which won the elections, removal of ministries and termination of the parliament and government, if necessary. His Majesty the King also heads the Supreme Council of the Judiciary.

His Majesty King Mohammed VI

​​His Majesty, Mohammed VI, King of Morocco, son of the late King HM Hassan II, is the 23rd king of the Alaouite Dynasty, the reign of which started in the middle of the 17th century.

August 21, 1963:  Birth of HM Mohammed VI, King of Morocco

July 30, 1999:  Enthronement of HM Mohammed VI

Studies and academic training

• Primary and secondary education at Royal College. Baccalaureate on June 1981.
• Higher education in Law at the University Mohammed V of Judicial, economic and social sciences in Rabat.
• 1985: B.A Thesis entitled “The Arabo-African Union and the Kingdom’s strategy in the international relations.”
• 1987:   First Certificate of high studies in political sciences
• 1988:  Second Certificate in Public Law with honour.
• 1993:  Phd in Law with distinction at the University of Nice-Antipolis in France. Thesis was on “Cooperation between the European Economic Community and the Arab Maghreb Union”.
• 2000:  A Honoris Causa Doctorate from the University of George Washington
• HM the King is Author of a book and many articles on the Euro Maghreb cooperation.
• He writes and speaks fluently in Arabic, French, Spanish and English.

The King has also presided as a crown Prince:

• The opening session of the Ministerial Meeting of GATT (Marrakech, April 12th, 1994).
• The opening of the work of the National Commission for the Commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the UN on January 12, 1995.
• The closing session of the seminar on "Relations between Morocco and Europe" (Paris, April 9, 1996).
• Inauguration of the Macro-American Council office of Commerce and Investments (New York, December 10th, 1996).   
• When he was a Crown Prince, His Majesty King Mohammed VI has been appointed by the late King Hassan II as:

• • Chairman of the Organizing Committee of IXth Mediterranean Games in Casablanca (March 18th, 1982).
  • Chairman of the Commission charged of the Organization of Pan-Arab games VI (April 11th, 1985).
  • Coordinator of offices and services of General Military Staff of the Royal Armed Forces (November 26th, 1985).

He has also been promoted by His Majesty King Hassan II, to the rank of Divisional General, July 12th, 1994.

Enthronement

• The Enthronement of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Amir Al Mouminine, took place on July 30th, 1999. He pronounced His first Speech of the Throne, at the Royal Palace in Rabat. This date becomes, officially, the Throne Day.
• His Majesty the King is the effective President of several associations including:
• The Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity.
• The Mohammed VI Foundation for the rehabilitation of prisoners and inmates of the rescue centers for children.

His Majesty King Mohammed VI presents his support for the work of civil society organizations. It is, indeed, the Honorary President of a large number of active associations in various areas of socio-economic development.

Salient features of Morocco under the leadership of HM King Mohammed VI

• Morocco consolidates its reform process, continues its march towards democracy and its important reforms, with determination to guarantee sustained economic and social development for the benefit of its citizens.
• The Kingdom of Morocco witnesses transformations which are contributing to the development of its model in conformity with its history and national priorities.
• Morocco is expanding its infrastructure, growing its internal and external exchanges and being anchored into the global economy, enjoying a visibility within the international community that recognizes the Kingdom's role at the continental level. It is a country turned towards the future.
• The Kingdom of Morocco is also a melting pot of diversity. This latter provides a great wealth and constitutes the base of its unity. Indeed, each and every one of Moroccans contributes to the country’s development.
• Progress in the field of Women’s rights. The adoption of the new Moudawana has been a turning point in this regard.
• The Kingdom has increased investment in its ports, transportation, and industrial infrastructure to position itself as a golden gate to Africa.
• Morocco continues to occupy the third place in the MENA region and the first position in North Africa in terms of doing business.
• Morocco is the most attractive economy for investments flowing into the African continent, according to the latest Africa Investment Index 2018 by Quantum Global Research Lab and Ernst and Young.
• Over the last decade, Morocco has become the first car producer in the Middle East and Africa as well as a major aerospace industry manufacturing Hub, generating more than 1 billion US dollars in exports.
• Relying on its achievements, the Kingdom of Morocco opens more to the world. It establishes new partnerships, even with geographically distant countries. These invest their talents and resources in Morocco alongside traditional partners due to the confidence they have in the assets and strength of the Kingdom.
• In addition to being part of the African family, Morocco also belongs to other circles of solidarity which do influence its diplomacy: as it illustrated by its attachment to the Islamic Organization of Cooperation, to the Arab league, to its Maghreb and Mediterranean space as well as to the Francophone circle.
• South-South Cooperation figures among the principal orientations of the Kingdom’s Foreign Policy. It is dictated by the cross-cutting nature of common challenges facing the world, such as Climate Change, Migration or Terrorism which require an inclusive global cooperation and coordination.
• In the framework of this continental South-South cooperation, hundreds of cooperation agreements have been signed between Morocco and the African countries. Morocco is proud to welcome more than 10,000 students, from 42 African countries, including 8,000 with scholarships. Similarly, this cultural cooperation covers as well the Pacific Island countries that benefit annually from hundreds of scholarships.
• Moreover, the Kingdom of Morocco contributes largely to the promotion of peace, security and stability. It fully assumes its responsibilities when it comes to conflict resolution.
• In this regard, Morocco is among the main countries that are involved in Peacekeeping operations, with the contribution of more than 2300 elements of the Royal Armed Forces. Morocco is currently the 14th troop contributor globally and the second in the Arab World.
• Morocco launched two satellites (Mohammed VI- A / B) as part of an ambitious space program initiated by HM the King of Morocco in 2013. They are complementary and will be managed by Moroccan engineers and other technical personnel trained for this purpose.
• As part of the efforts of the Kingdom of Morocco to develop its national rail sector, the High Speed Train LGV, named “Al Boraq”, the first of its kind in Africa and Middle East.

Morocco’s Political Reforms

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Morocco’s Multiparty System

One of the singularities of Morocco is its longstanding multi-party political system in place since independence in 1956, allowing for to the first national parliamentary elections to be held in 1963. Unlike other MENA countries, Morocco’s party pluralism reflected allowed peoples’ diverse views to be in Morocco’s long-term socio-economic and human development strategy paving the way for today’s reforms.

Morocco’s Engagement for Reform

Since the 1990’s, Morocco has been engaged in moving forward and implementing its reform agenda, a process aimed at providing the full force of democracy to Morocco’s political and social scene. The reign of King Mohammed the VI is marked by a desire to open a new chapter in Morocco’s history, beginning with the establishment of an unprecedented Commission of Equity and Reconciliation to investigate past disappearances and arbitrary detentions carried out between 1956 and 1999. Hence, addressing human rights and empowering individual citizens.

Morocco’s commitment for democratic progress and good governance permitted Morocco to navigate peacefully the wave of the Arab Spring, making Morocco’s experience one of peaceful and sustainable evolution, rather than violent revolutions. This resulted in the acceleration of the reform process built on an approach promoting inclusivity, participation and ownership; a process adhered to by all social actors, ensuring its long-term sustainability.

Constitutional Reform

The new Constitution called for by King Mohammed VI and adopted by popular referendum in July 2011, enshrined the reform process, confirming the irreversible nature of the democratic process Morocco is committed too.

The constitutional reform confirmed the features and mechanisms of Morocco’s Constitutional Monarchy and laid the basis for balance, independence and separation of powers. More specifically the new constitution rests on the following pillars: clear commitment to human rights, gender equality, fight against corruption, freedom of worship, and enhanced responsibilities for local and regional governments. Hence, the 2011 constitutional reform is the embodiment of two decades of reforms.

Human Rights reforms

The constitution of 2011 not only enshrined the respect and protection of human and civil rights, but it was also the starting point for the creation of the National Human Rights Council (CNDH). The CNDH is an autonomous oversight body that is mandated to investigate and monitor human rights in Morocco, as well as make recommendations on how to bring legislation in line with the constitution of 2011, international human right treaties, and international law. Significant human right advances have been made in Morocco, particularly through the combined efforts of the CNDH, the civil society, and the Moroccan government, resulting in achievements such as new migration and asylum policies, women’s rights, and press code advancements.

Women Rights

In 2004, before gender equality became a fundamental pillar of Morocco’s constitution in 2011, a reform of the family code was enacted by order of King Mohammed VI. Better known as the Moudawana, the family reform was one of the most progressive set of laws on women and family rights in the entire Arab world.

In addition to promoting the participation of women in society and politics, the Moudawana gave women joint responsibilities for their families and equal rights as their husbands upon divorce. Furthermore, the reform placed new restrictions on polygamy, raised the legal age of marriage from 15 to 18, and made sexual harassment punishable by law, as well as citizenship transfer via Moroccan mothers.

Religious Reforms

Spearheaded by the King Mohammed VI himself, as the Commander of the Faithful, the religious reforms in Morocco focus on rethinking the Islamic message, including the rights of religious minorities. Historically, Morocco is considered an upholder of religious tolerance in the Arab and Islamic worlds, built around the peaceful co-existence of Jews, Christians, and Muslims.

The widest religious reform seeks to institutionalize the religious framework, promote a moderate brand of Maliki Islam via official Imam and Mourchidate (female preachers) training program of the values of openness and tolerance. The Mourchidate program is a first in the Arab world. Two such institutions have been founded by King Mohammed VI allowing France, Belgium, Tunisia, Chad, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Mali, and Guinea to take part in the programs. Around 1000 imams mainly from Africa are trained yearly in this institute.

Government

Article 89: "The government exercises executive power. Under the authority of the Head of Government, the Government implements its government program, ensures the implementation of laws, has the administration and oversees the activities of businesses and public institutions. "

The Head of Government exercises regulatory power and may delegate some of his powers to ministers. Its regulatory acts shall be countersigned by the Ministers responsible for their implementation.

The Government shall ensure that the laws and the administration are applied

Title V of the Constitution provides as such powers of the Executive Branch (Articles 87 - 94).

Parliament

The Moroccan Parliament comprises two houses that are mandated by the nation. The 325 members of the House of Representatives are elected for a five-year term by direct universal suffrage.

The House of Counsellors members are elected for a six-year term by indirect universal suffrage, depending on an equitable distribution of the Article 63 of the new constitution: three fifths of the elected members represent the territorial collectivities while the remaining two fifths are elected in each region by electoral colleges composed of elected members of professional chambers and members elected at the national scale by an electoral college composed of wage -earners representatives.

The Parliament holds two sessions a year and the opening of the first session is presided over by the King. The constitution stipulates that an extraordinary session might be convened at the request of the absolute majority of one of the houses or at the request of the government.

Sessions are public and each house drafts its own statutes whose constitutionality is systematically controlled by the Constitutional Council.

The speaker and the House of Representatives’ bureau members, and also the presidents of the permanent commissions and their Bureau are elected at the legislature opening and in the April session and at the third year of the legislature. The speaker of the House of Counsellors and the members of the Bureau, and also the presidents of the permanent commissions and their Bureau are elected at the opening of October's session and at the renewal of the House.