Riad Reviews

Moroccan Politics and Government

Here you will find what we believe is the most comprehensive look at Moroccan politics and government available on the internet.

Overview:

1. Summary of Moroccan Structure of Government (below)

Summary of Moroccan Structure of Government

Basic Principles:

• democratic, social and constitutional monarchy
• people shall have the power to vote
• there shall be no one-party system
• the law shall rule over all
• All Moroccan citizens are equal before the law
  • Men and women shall enjoy equal political rights
• Any citizen is eligible to vote provided
  • They are 18 years and older
  • They must register to vote
  • They have not been
    • Convicted to prison
    • Had their voting rights removed by court
    • Bankrupt 
    • In Contempt
    • Legally prohibited
    • Sentenced to national degridation
• Islam is the state religion and the state shall guarantee freedom of worship for all.
• The constitution guarantees
  • Freedom of movement throughout the country
  • Freedom of opinion and expression in all forms
  • Freedom of public gathering
  • Freedom to belong to any union or political group 
  • No one shall be arrested except under the procedures described by law
  • Freedom to protest
  • Freedom for private property and free enterprise
  • Some of these freedoms, when necessary can be limited by law.

Monarchy:

• The King is the Ruler of the Faithful
• The King is the Defender of the Faith and shall guarantee respect for the constitution
• The King is the Protector of the rights and liberties of the citizensKingship is hereditary
• The King shall appoint a Prime Minister and Cabinet Members
• The King is Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces
• The King shall appoint ambassadors to foreign nations and organizations
• The King will preside over the Council of the Magistracy, Education, and National Restructuring and Planning.
• The King has the power to pardon

Parliament:

• Parliament is made up of two houses
• House of Representatives
  • Members are elected to six year terms
  • The number of representatives, and eligibility requirements are dictated by organic law.
  • There shall be one elected President (Three year term) of the House of Representatives.
  • There shall be a Board as part of the House of Representatives, elected in one year terms in proportion to their party's size in the House of Representatives.
    • The Board shall prepare the agenda for the HouseHouse of Counselors
• House of Counselors
  • Consists of members elected by the electoral college of each region and elected members of trade chambers, and members elected by the electoral college of wage-earners' representatives
  • Members are elected to 9 year terms, elections are held every three years.
  • A President of the House of Counselors and Board members shall be elected as well
  • The Board shall prepare the agenda for the House
• The Parliament meets in 2 3 month sessions a year
• Meetings are open to the public
• Powers of the Parliament
  • Determine offenses and penalties, penal and civil procedures and new categories of jurisdiction
  • the statute of magistrates
  • the general statute of public offices;
  • the fundamental guarantees granted civil and military personnel;
  • the electoral system of local assemblies and councils;
  • the regulation of civil and commercial liabilities;
  • the establishment of new public agencies;
  •  the nationalization of enterprises or the transfer thereof from the public to the private sector.

The Government:

• Made of Prime Minister and Ministers (the Cabinet)
• Answerable to the King and to Parliament
• Ensures the execution of the Law

Constitutional Council

• Made of
  
  • 6 members appointed by the King for 9 year terms
  • + 6 other members appointed from the House of Representatives and Counselors for 9 year terms
  • + a third category of member appointed for 3 year term
  • Chairman selected by the king
• The Council shall
  
  • carry out the duties prescribed to it by organic law
  • Confirm the validity of the elections of members of Parliament

Judiciary Branch

• Independent of Legislative and Executive Branches
• Sentences shall be passed and executed in the King's name
• Magistrates are appointed by Royal Decree and are irremovable
• This Branch is presided over by the King
• It consists of
  • The Minister of Justice
  • The First President of the Supreme Court
  • The Prosecutor General of the Supreme Court
  • The President of the First Chamber of the Supreme Court
  • Two representatives elected among magistrates of the Court of Appeal
  • Four Representatives elected among magistrates of the first degree courts

Local Government

• Local government shall be divided into
  
  • Regions
  • Prefectures
  • Provinces
  • Communes
  • Assemblies shall be elected at these levels to carry out the affairs in accordance to the law
  • Governors shall carry out the decisions by these various assemblies