Constitutional Law at Morocco
Constitution of Morocco - Wikipedia Morocco's constitutional framework is primarily governed by the Constitution of Morocco, which was enacted on July 30, 2011, following a national referendum held on July 1, 2011. This constitution marked a significant shift towards a more democratic governance structure, responding to public demands for political reform.
🇲🇦 Key Features of the 2011 Constitution
1. Parliamentary Monarchy with Enhanced Executive Powers
The constitution established Morocco as a parliamentary monarchy, where:
The King remains the head of state and retains significant powers, including command over the military, religious authority, and control over strategic areas like foreign policy and security.
The Prime Minister, appointed by the King from the majority party in Parliament, serves as the head of government and exercises executive authority, including the ability to dissolve Parliament and oversee the implementation of laws.
2. Strengthened Parliamentary Role
Parliament's legislative functions were enhanced, allowing it to:
Approve laws, control government actions, and evaluate public policies.
Grant amnesty, a power previously reserved for the King.
Approve the appointment of high-ranking officials, including ambassadors and regional governors, in consultation with the Prime Minister and the King. (Morocco 2011 Constitution - Constitute, 2011 Moroccan constitutional referendum)
3. Recognition of Linguistic and Cultural Diversity
The constitution recognized Amazigh (Berber) as an official language alongside Arabic, reflecting Morocco's commitment to its diverse cultural heritage. (Constitution of Morocco)
4. Judicial Independence
The judiciary was granted greater independence, with the establishment of the Constitutional Court, which has the authority to:
Review the constitutionality of laws.
Oversee the regularity of elections and referendums.
Ensure the protection of individual rights and freedoms. (Morocco: New Law Establishes Processes for Individuals to Challenge Constitutionality of Laws | Library of Congress)
5. Human Rights and Gender Equality
The constitution enshrined a comprehensive Charter of Rights and Freedoms, emphasizing:
Civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights.
Gender equality, promoting women's participation in political and public life.
Freedom of expression, assembly, and association.
6. Decentralization and Regionalization
The constitution introduced the principle of advanced regionalization, aiming to:
Enhance local governance.
Promote equitable development across regions.
Empower regional councils with legislative and executive competencies. (Constitution | Maroc.ma)
🗳️ 2011 Constitutional Referendum Results
Approval Rate: 98.49% of voters supported the constitutional amendments.
Voter Turnout: Approximately 72.65% of eligible voters participated in the referendum. (Constitution of Morocco)
📘 Accessing the Constitution
The full text of the 2011 Constitution of Morocco is available in English at the Constitute Project and in Arabic at Maroc.ma. (Constitution | Maroc.ma)
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