Moroccan King Mohammed VI: “The Survivor”
Dan Ephron describes the personality and lifestyle of Moroccan King Mohammed VI. King Mohammed is "unquestionably different" from other Arab leaders and from his father, the previous King of Morocco; this king is "genuinely popular" and "less repressive." And yet ...
Analysis: Moroccan Protests Continue, Defying Change
Emanuela Dalmasso and Francesco Cavatorta, writing for Jadaliyya, authored an analysis of the Moroccan constitutional reform process and its aftermath. Dalmasso and Cavatorta noted that most groups pushing for reform in the past were satisfied with the reforms the Monarchy implemented, even though the reforms were written to reaffirm the executive supremacy of the Monarchy. The February 20 movement is different however, because despite the changes agreed to during the ...
Morocco’s National Day, Call for Parliamentary Elections
Morocco celebrated it's National Day-Day of the Throne on Saturday and received congratulatory remarks from government officials around the world. King Mohammed VI pardoned 14 prisoners and commuted the sentences of 954 others on the night of his ...
Analysis: An Eventful Ramadan Lies Ahead
The Moor Next Door writes on how the developing uprisings in the Middle East are "highly likely to increase openings for popular activism," specifically by sectarian and Islamist factions. The writer also argues that Ramadan will provide opportunties for organizing large groups for protests as people will be gathering at mosques and community events in major cities. In countries like Yemen and Syria, the writer argues that Islamist groups may become more confident during ...
Analysts Discuss the Moroccan Referendum
In a recent Op/Ed in the New York Times, Ahmed Charai and Joseph Braude lauded the results of the July 1 Moroccan referendum as "the most significant development in the Arab world all summer." They discussed the newly ...
Continuing Protests in Morocco
Thousands protested in Morocco on Sunday, continuing the wave of peaceful protests led by the February 20 movement, demanding greater reforms than outlined by the constitutional referendum. AFP reports that around 8000 protested ...
Morocco: Protests Continue, Analysts Debate Implementation of Reforms
Protests against King Mohammad VI's proposed constitutional reforms took place on Sunday, with 10,000 people on the streets in Tangier. However, a Moroccan interior official claimed that the actual number of anti-referendum protesters was only 1,000, and there were more than 3,000 counter-protesters in favor of the referendum. Paul Bonicelli emphasizes the King will not continue to control every aspect of government and will share power with others: "That might not be ...
Moroccans Vote for Change
On Friday, Moroccans voted to approve the constitutional changes proposed by King Mohammed VI last month that promised to implement reform and political openness. Reports show that the referendum was passed by 98.5 percent of the vote, though the final results could still take several days. U.S. State Department Spokesman, Mark Toner welcomed the referendum "as an important step in Morocco’s ongoing democratic development. We understand that it’s going to take a ...
Analysis: Morocco’s Constitutional Referendum
Emma Hayward, from the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, discussed whether or not the new constitutional provisions introduced by King Mohamed VI would lead to real reform or stabilization in an article entitled, "Morocco's Constitutional Referendum: Context, Content, and Impact." Hayward asserted that many of the new provisions are unclear including, the provision that does not specify whether the king or the ruling party will choose the prime minister following ...
Moroccan Reform Vote Tomorrow, Concerns Remain
The Moroccan constitutional changes, proposed in a speech by King Muhammad VI on June 18, will be voted on tomorrow. The plan for reform was hailed by the European Union while the three largest political parties in Morocco, ...
Analysts: Prospects for Reform in Morocco
Shadi Hamid, the director of research at the Brookings Doha Center and Anouar Boukhars, a former fellow at The Brookings Institution wrote that the United States and European Union should stop "praising" King Mohammed VI's promises of reform and instead ensure that certain priorities are implemented through the reforms. These priorities include freedom of association and speech, limiting the powers of the king and the royal court, allowing elected institutions to ...
Moroccans Clash Over Proposed Reforms
In Morocco on Sunday, marchers, both in support of and in opposition to the proposed constitutional changes, clashed throughout the country. Marches occurred in numerous locations, including Casablanca, Rabat, Tangiers, Marrakech, and Tetouan. The government also ordered all religious leaders to urge their followers to support the constitutional reforms. The government cited King Muhammad VI's role as religious leader as justification for the demand of support. The snap referendum to approve the constitutional changes ...
Debate on Potential for Moroccan Reforms
Writing for the Carnegie Endowment, Marina Ottaway discusses the constitutional reforms announced by King Mohammed VI. Identity politics played an important role in the constitutional debate, specifically the controversial issues of defining the state as Islamic or not, and recognizing the language of the Berber minority. And while providing the parliament with more power, the new constitution fails to "clearly and unequivocally" reduce the king's power. Ottaway concludes that the new constitution will ...
Morocco: King Mohammad VI Announces Major Changes
Moroccan King Mohammad VI announced the creation of a constitutional monarchy during a speech late Friday evening. The King will cede some powers, but will remain a key power broker. The King announced: - the Prime Minister will become the ...
Thousands Protest in Morocco, Constitutional Reforms Expected
About 6,000 protesters marched through Casablanca yesterday, demanding democratic reforms and an end to corruption. The protest came ahead of King Mohammed VI's expected announcement of constitutional reforms intended to address protesters' demands. The reformed constitution was shown to political party leaders on Friday, although it has not yet been made public. It is reported that many of the reforms outlined meet the demands of protesters. But the protesters in Casablanca and the February 20 movement ...
Morocco: Reform a Path to “Genuine Constitutional Monarchy”
Writing in the Los Angeles Times, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace scholar Lahcen Achy argues that the reforms to Morocco's constitution, announced by King Mohammed VI in March, signify a shift from an absolute to constitutional monarchy. He notes that while "the planned changes will not lead to a parliamentary constitution in Morocco," the reforms will reduce the king's powerful role, introduce a separation of powers, promote the participation and rights of ...