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| Politics of Morocco | |
|---|---|
| Conventional long name | Kingdom of Morocco |
| Common name | Morocco |
| Capital | Rabat |
| Largest city | Casablanca |
| Official languages | Arabic, Berber |
| Government type | Unitary constitutional monarchy |
| Leader title1 | King |
| Leader name1 | Mohammed VI |
| Leader title2 | Prime Minister |
| Leader name2 | Aziz Akhannouch |
| Legislature | Parliament |
| Area km2 | 446,550 |
| Population estimate | 37 million |
Politics of Morocco Morocco's political system centers on the Alawite king, a bicameral Parliament, a multi-party party landscape, and a judiciary shaped by French and Islamic traditions. Relations between the monarch, elected executives, and regional institutions have driven reforms such as the 2011 constitution and shaped debates over Western Sahara, Arab Spring influences, and regional integration with the European Union and African Union.
The 2011 Moroccan Constitution redefined the role of the King vis-à-vis the Prime Minister, cabinet, and Constitutional Court. The constitution preserved the Alawite monarch's prerogatives over the military, Supreme Religious Authority, and foreign policy while expanding rights invoked in the UDHR, protections for freedom of expression, and powers for the Amazigh cultural institutions. Constitutional disputes have involved actors such as Abdellatif Hammouchi, Taieb Fassi Fihri, and civil advocacy groups tied to the February 20 Movement and Moroccan Association for Human Rights.
Executive authority is shared between the King and a head of government appointed from the largest party in the lower house. Recent executives include Saadeddine Othmani, Abdelilah Benkirane, and Aziz Akhannouch; cabinets have included ministers from Istiqlal Party, Authenticity and Modernity Party, and National Rally of Independents. Executive portfolios coordinate with institutions like the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Court of Auditors on issues such as Moroccan diaspora, migration, trade, and renewable energy projects developed with partners like MASEN and international investors from France, Spain, China, and United States.
The bicameral Parliament comprises an elected House of Representatives and the House of Councillors. Parties represented include Justice and Development Party, Istiqlal Party, Authenticity and Modernity Party, Socialist Union of Popular Forces, and Popular Movement. Legislative processes intersect with the Constitutional Court and statutory bodies such as the HACA and CNDH in lawmaking, oversight, and debates on anti-corruption measures and electoral reform.
Morocco's legal order blends French civil law legacy, Islamic law elements, and the 2011 Moroccan Constitution. Key institutions include the Court of Cassation, Constitutional Court, administrative courts, and specialized tribunals for commercial and labor disputes. Legal reform efforts have engaged organizations such as the Ministry of Justice, IRES, and international partners including the World Bank and United Nations Development Programme to address judicial independence, prison reform, and implementation of family law reforms following the mudawana overhaul of 2004.
Morocco operates a multi-party system with parties like the PJD, Istiqlal Party, PAM, USFP, RNI, and PPS. Elections for the lower house use proportional representation with national and local lists, while the upper house represents professional and regional interests. Electoral administration involves the Interior and independent commissions such as the CNE; contentious topics include electoral fraud allegations, party coalitions, and the role of monarchic appointments in shaping cabinets.
Morocco is divided into regions, prefectures, and provinces such as Rabat-Salé-Kénitra, Casablanca-Settat, Marrakesh-Safi, and Souss-Massa. Decentralization reforms following the 2011 constitution enhanced powers of regional councils, municipal councils in Rabat, Tangier, Fes, and Agadir, and the Ministry of Interior oversees governors (Wali) and prefects (Pacha). Interactions between regional development agencies like APDN, local elected officials, and national ministries influence infrastructure, tourism in Marrakesh, agricultural policy in Gharb-Chrarda-Béni Hssen, and urban planning in Casablanca.
Key policy debates involve the Western Sahara, economic liberalization, unemployment, social inequality, education reform, and healthcare access amid partnerships with the European Union, African Union, Gulf Cooperation Council, World Bank, and International Monetary Fund. Governance challenges include corruption, press freedom concerns involving outlets in Casablanca and Rabat, human rights advocacy by Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, and implementation of infrastructure projects like the Al Boraq high-speed rail and Noor Solar Project. Security policy responds to threats from Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant affiliates, transnational terrorism, and border management with Spain and Algeria.