GOVERNMENT
Morocco is divided into 16 administrative regions (further broken into provinces and prefectures); the regions are administered by Walis (governors) appointed by the King.
The Moroccan Constitution provides for a strong monarchy, but a weak Parliament and judicial branch. Dominant authority rests with the King. The King presides over the Council of Ministers; appoints the Prime Minister following legislative elections; appoints all members of the government taking into account the Prime Minister's recommendations; and may, at his discretion, terminate the tenure of any minister, dissolve the Parliament, call for new elections, or rule by decree. The King is the Commander in Chief of the military and holds the title of Amir al-Mou’minin, or Commander of the Faithful, the country's religious leader.
Since
the constitutional reform of 1996, the bicameral legislature consists
of a lower chamber - the Chamber of Representatives - which is
directly elected; and an upper chamber - the Chamber of Counselors
- whose members are indirectly elected through various regional,
local, and professional councils. The councils' members themselves
are elected directly. The Parliament's powers, though limited,
were expanded under the 1992 and 1996 constitutional revisions
and include budgetary matters, approving bills, questioning ministers,
and establishing ad hoc commissions of inquiry to investigate
the government's actions. The lower chamber of Parliament may
dissolve the government through a vote of no confidence.
Since early in his reign, King Mohammed VI has called for expanded employment opportunities, economic development, meaningful education, and increased housing availability. The government has been pursuing an ambitious program of modernization and revitalization of the country’s infrastructure (such as roads, trains, communications, and water) and national economy (such as support for Moroccan businesses, preparations for competition, and modernization of modes of production).
In order to create employment opportunities, the government is promoting
investment in the tourism, industrial, fishing, and service industries, and is
ameliorating the education system.
The most recent parliamentary elections were held in September 2007 and were
regarded by international observers to be free and fair. However, voter turnout
was disappointing, with only 37% of registered voters casting ballots. Abbas El
Fassi of the winning Istiqlal Party was appointed to be Prime Minister by the
King. The Islamist Party of Justice and Development (PJD) won the popular vote,
but came in second behind Istiqlal in the number of parliamentary seats. El
Fassi formed a government based on a minority coalition composed of the
Istiqlal, the leftist USFP and PPS, and the centrist RNI. A special election to
fill eight seats in Morocco’s lower house of parliament was held in September 2008.
Principal
Government Officials
Head of State--King Mohammed VI
Prime Minister--Abbas El Fassi
Morocco
maintains an embassy in the United States at 1601 - 21st Street
NW, Washington, DC 20009 (tel. 202-462-7979).
Government Type: Constitutional monarchy.
Constitution: March 1972, revised September 1992 and September
1996 (creating a bicameral legislature).
Independence: March 2, 1956.
Branches: Executive--king (head of state), prime minister
(head of government). Legislative--Bicameral parliament. Judicial--Supreme
Court.
Political parties: Socialist Union of Popular Forces (USFP),
Istiqlal (independence) Party (PI), Popular Movement (MP), National
Popular Movement (MNP), National Rally of Independents (RNI),
Constitutional Union Party (UC), National Democratic Party (PND),
Party of Progress and Socialism (PPS), Organization for Democratic
and Popular Action (OADP), Party of Justice and Development (PJD),
Democratic and Social Movement (MDS), Democratic Forces Front
(FFD), Democratic Union (UD), Citizen Forces (FC), Liberal Party
(PL), National Socialist Congress Party (CNI), Party of Reform
and Development (PRD) Social Democratic Party (PSD), National
Union of Popular Forces (UNFP), Action Party (PA), Avant-Garde
Democratic Socialist Party (PADS).
Suffrage: Universal starting at 21 years of age.
