Parliament of Morocco

Parliament of Morocco
Name	Parliament of Morocco
Foundation	1956
House type	Bicameral
Leader1 type	President of the House of Representatives
Leader2 type	President of the House of Councillors
Voting system	Mixed-member proportional, indirect election
Last election	2021
Meeting place	Rabat

Parliament of Morocco is the bicameral national legislature located in Rabat that serves as the principal chamber for lawmaking, oversight, and representation in the Kingdom of Morocco. It operates within the constitutional framework set by the Constitution of Morocco and interacts closely with the Monarchy of Morocco, the Prime Minister of Morocco, and executive institutions like the Government of Morocco. The legislature comprises two houses that reflect regional, professional, and popular representation linked to historical developments from the Protectorate of Morocco period through post-1956 reforms.

History

The origins trace to deliberative assemblies under the Alaouite dynasty and consultative bodies during the French protectorate in Morocco and the Spanish protectorate in Morocco. After independence in 1956, leaders such as Mohammed V of Morocco and Hassan II of Morocco shaped early constitutions, including the 1962 constitution that introduced a modern parliamentary model. The 1970s and 1980s witnessed political events involving figures like Ahmed Balafrej, Allal al-Fassi, and crises linked to the Green March era and constitutional revisions. The 1996 constitutional revision and the 2011 constitutional referendum initiated under Mohammed VI of Morocco arising from the Arab Spring led to expanded parliamentary powers and the creation of the House of Councillors as a chamber representing territorial and professional interests. Subsequent reforms were influenced by international actors such as the United Nations, the European Union, and bilateral partners like France and Spain.

Structure and Composition

The legislature is bicameral, composed of the lower chamber, the House of Representatives, and the upper chamber, the House of Councillors. The House of Representatives includes members elected via lists that reflect regional constituencies and reserved seats for youth and women, shaped by electoral frameworks influenced by comparative models like the French National Assembly, the Spanish Cortes Generales, and the Italian Chamber of Deputies. The House of Councillors represents regional councils, professional chambers, and labour organizations similar to consultative bodies such as the Senate of France and the House of Lords. Leadership posts include presiding officers akin to roles in the Bundestag or the House of Commons. Administrative support is provided by permanent services and committees comparable to parliamentary services in the European Parliament.

Powers and Functions

Constitutional competences include legislating on codes such as civil and criminal codes tracing to Algerian Code Napoléon-influenced traditions, budgetary approval akin to powers seen in the United States Congress and the British Parliament, and oversight of ministers through questions and motions as practiced in the Portuguese Assembly of the Republic and the Hellenic Parliament. The legislature ratifies international treaties like agreements with Mauritania, the European Union, and multilateral accords negotiated with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. It exercises scrutiny through parliamentary commissions similar to the U.S. Senate committees, and can initiate legislation as in the Knesset or the Dáil Éireann.

Legislative Process

Bills may originate in the House of Representatives or the House of Councillors, with government bills commonly sponsored by ministries including the Ministry of Interior (Morocco), the Ministry of Economy and Finance (Morocco), and the Ministry of Justice (Morocco). Committee examination mirrors procedures in the Canadian House of Commons and the Australian House of Representatives, followed by plenary debates inspired by practices in the Spanish Congreso de los Diputados. Passage requires concurrence between houses, and unresolved disputes can involve mediation or royal promulgation by the monarch under provisions similar in effect to mechanisms in the Belgian Federal Parliament. Constitutional review interacts with bodies like the Constitutional Court (Morocco).

Political Parties and Parliamentary Groups

Major parties represented have included the Istiqlal Party, the Justice and Development Party (Morocco), the Authenticity and Modernity Party, and the National Rally of Independents. Other parties such as the Socialist Union of Popular Forces, the Popular Movement (Morocco), and the Left Federation shape coalitions comparable to multi-party systems in the Netherlands, Sweden, and Portugal. Parliamentary groups form around party caucuses and alliances as with the German CDU/CSU grouping or the Labour Party (UK) benches; smaller parties and independents coordinate in technical groups resembling arrangements in the Italian Senate.

Relationship with the Monarchy and Government

The legislature operates within a constitutional monarchy where the Monarchy of Morocco retains prerogatives including the appointment of the Prime Minister, dissolution prerogatives, and diplomatic leadership, paralleling monarchical systems like the United Kingdom or the Kingdom of Spain. Cabinets appointed by the monarch derive confidence from parliamentary majorities similar to practices in parliamentary democracies such as the Republic of Ireland. High-profile interactions have occurred during administrations of prime ministers like Abdelilah Benkirane and Saadeddine Othmani, reflecting negotiation over policy areas including security cooperation with partners such as the United States and economic reforms interacting with institutions like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

Elections and Electoral System

Elections for the House of Representatives use proportional representation lists with reserved quotas influenced by models used in the French legislative election system and gender-parity measures inspired by initiatives in the Rwanda and Sweden. Elections for the House of Councillors are indirect, with members chosen by electoral colleges drawn from regional councils, professional chambers, and trade unions paralleling upper-house selection seen in the Spanish Senate prior to reforms. Key electoral events include the 2011 constitutional referendum and parliamentary elections such as those in 2011 and 2016 that saw shifts among parties like the Justice and Development Party (Morocco) and the Istiqlal Party, with international observation from entities such as the African Union and the European Union Election Observation Mission.

Category:Politics of Morocco Category:Legislatures by country