Democracy News

Moroccans Approve Constitutional Reforms Amid Opposition Criticism
July 8, 2011
By: Carlos Aramayo | Printer Friendly

On July 1, Moroccans voted in a referendum to approve a package of constitutional reforms that would weaken the powers of King Mohammed VI and boost those of the government. The revamped draft constitution aims at making officials more accountable and the parliament more dynamic. BBC News reported that the referendum was approved by 98.49 percent of voters. The referendum had an overall voter turnout of more than 70 percent of the country's 13 million registered voters. The referendum was first announced by the King on June 17, after a series of unprecedented protests swept across the country. Under the new constitution, voters will now have the ability to elect the prime minister, a practice that was formerly reserved for the King. Morocco will also have an independent judiciary and provide equal rights for women.

In response, the youth-based February 20 Movement, the group that organized the protests, urged its supporters to boycott the referendum on that basis that it failed to meet their demands. "This reform is partial," said Elabadila Chbihna, one of the movement coordinators. Furthermore, Chbihna added, "We are not at the vegetable market, negotiating prices. The king cannot propose an 80 percent democracy," Christian Science Monitor reported.

BBC News reported that Morocco’s biggest political parties, including the Islamist Justice and Development Party (PJD), the Socialist Union of Popular Forces (USFP) and the conservative Istiqlal party, had asked their supporters to vote "yes" to the proposed changes. "Although this project may seem to some non-revolutionary, it has the advantage to make the parties face their responsibilities. It forces them to make their own cultural revolution," said Ahmed Reda Chami, a member of the Socialist Union of Popular Forces party.

On July 2, the United States Department of State issued a statement that announced support for the new Moroccan constitution.  Americans “support the Moroccan people and leaders in their efforts to strengthen the rule of law, raise human rights standards, promote good governance, and work toward long-term democratic reform that incorporates checks and balances.”

In an interview with the Christian Science Monitor, Kenneth M. Pollack, director of the Brookings Institution’s Saban Center for Middle East Policy stated, "What's so important about what the Moroccan king has done is that he is forging a different model of change in the Arab world." In contrast, Marina Ottaway, director of the Middle East program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace stated, “The king may well have succeeded in staying ahead of the protests, whether this is just a short-lived victory in the first skirmish of a long battle or a turning point on the road to transforming Morocco into the Arab world's first constitutional monarchy will depend not only on how the king acts in the coming months, but also on the capacity and willingness of Moroccan political organizations to build on the opportunities the constitution offers them."  

Both experts agree that the new constitution could serve as a democratic blue print for its neighbors. However, Morocco still appears to be sailing a fine line between autocracy and a would-be democracy. The future remains uncertain for democracy advocates as much of what will develop depends on the King’s willingness for tangible democratic transformation.

Morocco has been facing severe economic challenges with high unemployment and rising levels of poverty. King Mohammed, acceded to the throne in 1999 following the death of his father, Hassan II, and now heads the Arab world's longest-serving dynasty.

For previous news on Morocco, please see:
King of Morocco Declares Reforms; Unveils New Draft Constitution

Sources:
BBC News – Morocco approves King Mohammed's constitutional reforms

The Christian Science Monitor – Morocco's referendum on reform: Model for Arab Spring?

US Department of State – Constitutional Referendum in Morocco