Jonah Patel
Morocco, officially known as the Kingdom of Morocco, has been a constitutional monarchy since 1956 when it gained independence from France. The country is located in North Africa, bordering Algeria to the east and southeast, and is the only monarchy in the region. Morocco has a rich history, with various dynasties ruling the region since the 8th century. Today, it is led by King Mohammed VI, who holds significant executive authority and appoints the head of the government (prime minister) from the party with the most seats in parliament.
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What You'll Learn
Morocco's independence and the establishment of a constitutional monarchy
Morocco's road to independence and its establishment as a constitutional monarchy have been long and complex. The region that constitutes modern-day Morocco has been inhabited for over 300,000 years, and the country has a rich history of dynastic rule. In the 19th century, Morocco successfully maintained its independence during the era of European colonialism in North Africa. However, due to its strategic location at the mouth of the Mediterranean, European powers, particularly France and Spain, had strong interests in the region. This eventually led to the occupation of Moroccan territories by these colonial powers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
By 1912, Morocco was divided between French and Spanish control. During World War II, Morocco fought alongside France, but an independence movement emerged shortly after the war ended. As France was occupied with the independence struggle in Algeria, they granted independence to Morocco on March 2, 1956, with the Spanish also relinquishing their possessions the same year.
With independence, Morocco established a constitutional monarchy under Sultan Mohammed V, who held significant authority. This marked the beginning of Morocco's current system of governance. Mohammed V was succeeded by Hassan II in 1961, who is known for a prolonged period of government repression called "the years of lead." Hassan II assumed the role of prime minister and appointed a new cabinet, consolidating power.
The year 1965 witnessed political unrest and allegations of government corruption, leading to the granting of full executive and legislative powers to Hassan II. This period saw the temporary suspension of parliament and efforts to draft a new constitution in 1970, which ultimately failed due to military coups. It wasn't until 1972 that a new constitution was passed by referendum, clarifying the balance of power between the monarch, the council of ministers, and parliament.
Morocco's current constitution was passed by referendum on July 1, 2011, following a period of political reform and consultation with various stakeholders. While the 2011 Constitution strengthened the power of the government, the King, currently Mohammed VI, retains significant executive authority. The constitution recognises Morocco's religious plurality, its place in the Arab and African communities, and its commitment to human rights and international law. It maintains the country's status as a constitutional monarchy, with executive power vested in the Monarch, the Prime Minister, and the Cabinet, and legislative authority held by a bicameral legislature.
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The role of the monarch in Morocco's constitutional monarchy
Morocco has been a constitutional monarchy since 2 March 1956, when the country gained independence from French colonial rule. The current monarch is King Mohammed VI, who ascended the throne in 1999. The role of the monarch in Morocco's constitutional monarchy is complex and has evolved over time. While the country has a parliament and an independent judiciary, the king retains significant executive and legislative powers.
The Moroccan constitution recognises the country's Arab religious plurality and its place within the larger Arab community. It also reaffirms Morocco's commitment to human rights and international law. The constitution grants the king honorific powers, including the role of secular political leader and "Commander of the Faithful", as a direct descendant of the Prophet Mohammed. The king appoints the prime minister from the political party that has won the most seats in the parliamentary elections and, on the latter's recommendation, appoints the members of the government. The king also has the power to dissolve parliament after consulting the prime minister.
While the Moroccan constitution provides for freedom of expression, criticism of Islam, the monarchy, or the government's positions on territorial integrity and Western Sahara is criminalised and restricted. Such criticism can result in prosecution under the penal code, with punishments ranging from fines to prison sentences. The press, in particular, enjoys a significant degree of freedom when reporting on economic and social policies, but journalists who are critical of the government or the monarchy have been punished through an array of financial and legal mechanisms.
The monarch's role in Morocco's constitutional monarchy has been a delicate balance between upholding the traditions and authority of the monarchy and allowing for democratic processes and freedoms. While the king has vast powers, especially over the military, foreign policy, and religious affairs, the country also holds free and fair elections, with universal and equal suffrage. The 2011 Constitution strengthened the power of the government and reduced the king's executive powers, granting more authority to the prime minister. However, the king still maintains significant, unchecked executive authority, and Morocco remains a unitary semi-constitutional monarchy.
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The powers of the prime minister in Morocco's constitutional monarchy
Morocco has been a constitutional monarchy since 2 March 1956, when the country gained independence from France and Spain. The country's current king, Mohammed VI, is the head of state and holds substantial discretionary power over the executive branch, with direct authority over the military, religion, and the judiciary. The prime minister, currently Aziz Akhannouch, is the head of government and shares executive authority with the king.
The prime minister of Morocco is the head of government and is chosen by the king from the largest party elected to parliament. The constitution grants the prime minister executive powers, including the power to propose and dismiss cabinet members, provincial governors, and ambassadors, to oversee government programs and the delivery of public services, and to dissolve the lower house of parliament with the king's approval. The prime minister is also responsible for forming the government by leading negotiations between the king and parliament to fill ministry positions.
While the prime minister has significant powers, the king maintains ultimate authority and can exercise a high degree of control over the government. The king appoints the prime minister and approves the members of the government nominated by the prime minister. The king can also dissolve parliament after consulting the prime minister and can issue decrees (dahirs) that have the force of law.
The 2011 Constitution strengthened the power of the government and reduced the king's executive powers while enlarging those of the prime minister. However, the king still retains significant, unchecked executive authority, especially over the military, foreign policy, and religious affairs.
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The legislative houses in Morocco's constitutional monarchy
Morocco has been a constitutional monarchy since 2 March 1956, when the country gained independence from France and Spain. The Sultan Mohammed V established this form of government, in which he maintained a large amount of authority.
Morocco's constitution recognises the country as a monarchy with a parliament and an independent judiciary. The legislative authority is held by the bicameral legislature, which consists of two houses: the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors (also known as the Chamber of Representatives and the Chamber of Counselors, respectively). The former is considered the more powerful lower house of parliament.
The House of Representatives is made up of members elected through universal and equal suffrage, via free and fair periodic elections held by secret ballot. The Chamber of Counselors, on the other hand, is composed of members indirectly elected by regional and professional bodies.
The king, who is currently Mohammed VI, holds vast executive and legislative powers, especially over the military, foreign policy, and religious affairs. He can issue decrees, or dahirs, carrying the force of law, and dissolve parliament after consulting the prime minister. The king also appoints the prime minister, who must be from the political party with the most seats in parliament, and approves the members of the government nominated by the prime minister. The king and prime minister share executive authority, and the prime minister's powers have been enlarged through constitutional reforms.
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The history of Morocco's monarchy
Morocco has been a constitutional monarchy since 1956, when the country regained its independence from France. However, the region constituting modern-day Morocco has a long history of human habitation, dating back to the Paleolithic era over 300,000 years ago. The country has a rich and complex history, with a series of independent dynasties ruling the region over the centuries.
In 788, the Idrisid dynasty was established by Idris I, and Morocco was subsequently ruled by several other dynasties, including the Almoravid and Almohad dynasties, which ruled from the 11th to the 12th centuries. During this time, Morocco controlled much of the Iberian Peninsula and the Maghreb. The 'Alawi dynasty, which has ruled Morocco since 1631, is the country's current ruling family.
European interest in Morocco grew in the 19th century, and Spain occupied the northern portion of the territory in 1860. In 1912, France expanded its possessions in neighbouring Algeria to occupy the southern half of Morocco, making it a French protectorate. However, an independence movement emerged after World War II, and France granted Morocco its independence on 2 March 1956. The Spanish also relinquished their possessions in the same year.
Upon independence, Sultan Mohammed V established a constitutional monarchy, in which he maintained a significant amount of authority. He was followed by Hassan II in 1961, who is known for a long period of government repression called "the years of lead." Hassan II named himself prime minister and appointed a new cabinet, consolidating power. In 1965, he was granted full executive and legislative powers under a state of exception due to political unrest and allegations of government corruption.
In 1970, a new constitution was drafted, increasing the king's powers, but it was abandoned after a military coup attempt in 1971. Another constitution was passed by referendum in 1972, which maintained the king's powers while more clearly defining the balance of power between the monarch, the council of ministers, and parliament.
The most recent constitutional reforms in Morocco took place in 2011, which further defined the balance of powers between the monarch, the prime minister, and the parliament. While the king retained significant executive authority, the 2011 reforms enlarged the powers of the prime minister. The constitution also recognises Morocco's Arab religious plurality, its place within the larger Arab community, and its commitment to human rights and international law.
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Frequently asked questions
Morocco has been a constitutional monarchy since 2 March 1956.
Sultan Mohammed V was the first monarch of Morocco after it gained independence from France.
King Mohammed VI is the current monarch of Morocco.
Morocco is a unitary semi-constitutional monarchy with an elected parliament. The executive branch is led by the King and the Prime Minister, while legislative power is vested in the two chambers of parliament.
In an absolute monarchy, the monarch holds all power and has no restrictions on their authority. In a constitutional monarchy, the monarch's powers are limited by a constitution, and there is often a balance of power between the monarch, the council of ministers, and the parliament.
