Politics of Morocco

Politics of Morocco
Constitution
Monarchy
Government
Parliament
Judiciary
Administrative divisions
Elections
Foreign relations
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Politics of Morocco take place in a framework of an official parliamentary semi-constitutional monarchy, whereby the prime minister of Morocco is the head of government, and of a multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the two chambers of parliament, the Assembly of Representatives of Morocco and the Assembly of Councillors. The Moroccan Constitution provides for a monarchy with a Parliament and an independent judiciary.

On June 17, 2011, King Mohammed VI announced a series of reforms that would transform Morocco into a constitutional monarchy.[1][2]

The Economist Intelligence Unit rated Morocco a "hybrid regime" in 2022.[3][needs update]

Executive branch

Main article: Cabinet of Morocco
Main office-holders
Office Name Party Since
King Mohammed VI 23 July 1999
Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch RNI 10 September 2021

The constitution grants the king extensive powers; he is both the secular political leader and the "Commander of the Faithful" as a direct descendant of the Prophet Mohammed. He presides over the Council of Ministers; appoints the prime minister following legislative elections, and on recommendations from the latter, appoints the members of the government. While the constitution theoretically allows the king to terminate the tenure of any minister, and after consultation with the heads of the higher and lower Assemblies, to dissolve the Parliament, suspend the constitution, call for new elections, or rule by decree, the only time this happened was in 1965. The King is formally the chief of the military. Upon the death of his father Mohammed V, King Hassan II succeeded to the throne in 1961. He ruled Morocco for the next 38 years until he died in 1999. His son, the King Mohammed VI, assumed the throne in July 1999.[4]

Following the March 1998 elections, a coalition government headed by opposition socialist Abderrahmane Youssoufi and composed largely of ministers drawn from opposition parties, was formed. Prime Minister Youssoufi's government is the first government drawn primarily from opposition parties in decades, and also represents the first opportunity for a coalition of socialist, left-of-centre, and nationalist parties to be included in the government until October 2002. It was also the first time in the modern political history of the Arab world that the opposition assumed power following an election. The current government is headed by Aziz Akhannouch, who was appointed by King Mohammed VI after his party won a plurality of seats in the September 2021 general election.[5][6][7] His cabinet was sworn in on 7 October.[8]

Legislative branch

The legislature's building, in Rabat.

The House of Representatives: The House of Representatives consisted of 395 members elected by direct suffrage through a list system vote as follows:

  • 305 members at local constituencies level
  • 90 members at national constituencies level: 60 of whom are women, and 30 are youths.


The House of Councilors: The House of Councilors consists of 120 members elected according to the following regulations and procedures:

  • 72 members from local communes
  • 20 members from professional chambers
  • 8 members from professional organizations of employers
  • 20 members from the representatives of the wage earners

Political parties and elections

Main article: 2011 Moroccan general election

On 26 November 2011, the initial results of the parliamentary elections were released. The moderate Islamist party, the Justice and Development Party (PJD), was projected to win the largest number of seats.[9][10] However, the electoral rules were structured such that no political party could win more than 20 percent of the seats in the parliament.[11]

Main article: 2016 Moroccan general election

The Justice and Development Party (PJD) remained the largest party, winning 125 of the 395 seats in the House of Representatives, a gain of 18 seats compared to the 2011 elections.[12][13] Abdelillah Benkirane was reappointed Prime Minister by the King on 10 October.[14] The Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) won 102 seats, and the rest of the seats were split among smaller parties.

Main article: 2021 Moroccan general election

In the September 2021 general election, the moderate Islamist PJD suffered an electoral wipeout,[15] with the liberal National Rally of Independents becoming the largest party in Parliament.[16][17][18] Its leader, Aziz Akhannouch, subsequently formed a coalition government with the Authenticity and Modernity Party and Istiqlal Party.[19][20]

For other political parties, see List of political parties in Morocco. An overview on elections and election results is included in Elections in Morocco.

Judicial branch

Main article: Judiciary of Morocco

The highest court in the judicial structure is the Supreme Court, whose judges are appointed by the King. The Youssoufi government continued to implement a reform program to develop greater judicial independence and impartiality.

Administrative divisions

Since 2015 Morocco officially administers 12 regions: Béni Mellal-Khénifra, Casablanca-Settat, Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab, Drâa-Tafilalet, Fès-Meknès, Guelmim-Oued Noun, Laâyoune-Sakia El Hamra, Marrakech-Safi, Oriental, Rabat-Salé-Kénitra, Souss-Massa and Tanger-Tetouan-Al Hoceima. The regions are administered by Walis and governors appointed by the King.

Morocco is divided also into 13 prefectures and 62 provinces. Prefectures: Agadir-Ida Ou Tanane, Casablanca, Fès, Inezgane-Aït Melloul, Marrakesh, Meknès, Mohammedia, Oujda-Angad, Rabat, Safi, Salé, Skhirate-Témara and Tangier-Assilah. Provinces: Al Haouz, Al Hoceïma, Aousserd, Assa-Zag, Azilal, Benslimane, Béni-Mellal, Berkane, Berrechid, Boujdour, Boulemane, Chefchaouen, Chichaoua, Chtouka Aït Baha, Driouch, El Hajeb, El Jadida, El Kelâa des Sraghna, Errachidia, Es Semara, Essaouira, Fahs-Anjra, Figuig, Fquih Ben Salah, Guelmim, Guercif, Ifrane, Jerada, Kénitra, Khémisset, Khénifra, Khouribga, Laâyoune, Larache, Médiouna, Midelt, Moulay Yacoub, Nador, Nouaceur, Ouarzazate, Oued Ed-Dahab, Ouezzane, Rehamna, Safi, Sefrou, Settat, Sidi Bennour, Sidi Ifni, Sidi Kacem, Sidi Slimane, Tan-Tan, Taounate, Taourirt, Tarfaya, Taroudannt, Tata, Taza, Tétouan, Tinghir, Tiznit, Youssoufia and Zagora.

International organization affiliations

ABEDA, ACCT (associate), AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, AMU, EBRD, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO (pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITF, ITU, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OSCE (partner), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO.

Notable persons

References

  1. ^ "King declares Morocco a constitutional monarchy - Yahoo! News". Archived from the original on 2011-06-20.
  2. ^ "Moroccan king in referendum win". irishtimes.com.
  3. ^ Democracy Index 2023: Age of Conflict (PDF). Economist Intelligence Unit (Report). 2024. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2024-06-09. Retrieved 2024-07-22.
  4. ^ "BBC News | Africa | Mohammed VI takes Moroccan throne". news.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
  5. ^ Goff, Shaquile (19 September 2021). "Aziz Akhannouch: Morocco's New Billionaire Prime Minister". Morocco World News. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
  6. ^ "Moroccan King appoints Aziz Akhannouch as new Prime Minister". ANI. 10 September 2021. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
  7. ^ "Le Roi Mohammed VI nomme Aziz Akhannouch chef du gouvernement". Medias24 (in French). 10 September 2021. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  8. ^ "Moroccan king names new government headed by Aziz Akhannouch". Anadolu Agency. 7 October 2021. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
  9. ^ MEKHENNET, SOUAD; BAUME, MA (2011-11-26). "Moderate Islamist Party Winning Morocco Election". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-10-07.
  10. ^ "Islamist PJD party wins Morocco poll". BBC News. 2011-11-26. Retrieved 2023-10-07.
  11. ^ Middle East Online, "Moroccan Elections: A Barometer of Reform?" November 27, 2011 http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=49230
  12. ^ "Islamist PJD party wins Morocco poll". BBC News. 2011-11-26. Retrieved 2023-03-09.
  13. ^ "Morocco's moderate Islamist PJD party wins 107 seats". Al Arabiya English. 2011-11-27. Retrieved 2023-03-09.
  14. ^ "Moroccan king reappoints Abdelilah Benkirane as PM". www.aljazeera.com.
  15. ^ Guardian, The (2021-09-09). "Morocco elections: Islamists suffer losses as liberal parties gain ground". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2023-03-09.
  16. ^ and Jasper Hamann, Khouloud Haskouri. "RNI Sweeps 2021 National Elections as PJD Support Disintegrates". moroccoworldnews. Retrieved 2023-03-09.
  17. ^ "Islamists suffer crushing defeat in Moroccan parliamentary elections". France 24. 2021-09-09. Retrieved 2023-03-09.
  18. ^ "Morocco's ruling PJD routed as liberal parties sweep parliamentary elections". RFI. 2021-09-10. Retrieved 2023-03-09.
  19. ^ "Morocco parties announce coalition government deal". Africanews. 2021-09-22. Retrieved 2023-03-09.
  20. ^ "Morocco's premier Akhannouch announces coalition agreement". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 2023-03-09.
  21. ^ "Les membres de la Commission-Education" [The members of the Education Commission]. L'Economiste (in French). 9 April 1999. Retrieved 28 August 2012.
  • Government at the official portal of Morocco
  • Morocco list at the CIA Chiefs of State and Cabinet Members, March 17, 2011