“With Fidelity to the irreversible choice that it has made to build a democratic State based on the rule of law, the Kingdom of Morocco resolutely continues the process of consolidating and strengthening the institutions of a modern State, on the basis of the principles of participation, pluralism and good governance. It seeks to build an inclusive society, in which all citizens enjoy security, freedom, equal opportunity, respect for their dignity, in addition to social justice, within the framework of the intrinsic relationship between the rights and duties of citizenship. 

As a fully sovereign Muslim State committed to its national unity and territorial integrity, the Kingdom of Morocco shall seek to preserve its diverse, indivisible national identity. Its unity, which is built on the convergence of its Arab-Islamic, Amazigh and Saharan-Hassani components, is nurtured and enriched by African, Andalusian, Hebraic and Mediterranean constituents. The prominence given to the Islamic religion in the national frame of reference goes hand in hand with the commitment of the Moroccan people to the values of openness, moderation, tolerance and dialogue for the promotion of mutual understanding among all cultures and civilizations.

As an active member of international organizations, the Kingdom of Morocco, aware of the need to strengthen its role in the international arena, pledges to subscribe to the principles, rights and duties stipulated in the respective charters and conventions of these organizations. It reaffirms its commitment to human rights as they are universally recognized, as well as its determination to continue to endeavour for the preservation of world peace and security.” –  The Preamble of the Moroccan Constitution.

Monarchy


With it its roots and historical legitimacy going back twelve centuries, the Monarchy in Morocco can claim, rightly, a real influence over national public life in its two dimensions, temporal and spiritual. This implies the role of this institution throughout the eight dynasties that succeeded in Morocco, from the Idrissids to Alawites.

Its role has been variously emphasized and codified in the constitutions of 1962, 1970, 1972, 1992 and 1996, and it is now called, according to the new Constitution of 2011, a “citizenship-based monarchy”, guarantor of the nation’s fundamentals. Hence, the significance of the two-key elements in this 2011 constitution:

  • The deletion of any reference to the sacredness of the King's person, substituting it by the more modern notion of inviolability and respect due to the Sovereign, (Article 46).
  • The explicit and detailed codification of the King’s powers, as Commander of the Faithful (Amir Al Mouminine), in charge of religious matters (Article 41) and as Head of State, symbol of the unity of the nation, guarantor of the permanence and continuity of the State, ultimate arbiter between institutions, and protector of the nation’s democratic options (article 42).

Government


Article 89: "The government exercises executive power. Under the authority of the Head of Government, the Government implements its government program, ensures the implementation of laws, has the administration and oversees the activities of businesses and public institutions. "

The Head of Government exercises regulatory power and may delegate some of his powers to ministers. Its regulatory acts shall be countersigned by the Ministers responsible for their implementation.

The Government shall ensure that the laws and the administration are applied.

Parliament

The Moroccan Parliament comprises two houses that are mandated by the nation. The 395 members of the House of Representatives are elected for a five-year term by direct universal suffrage.

The House of Counsellors members are elected for a six-year term by indirect universal suffrage, depending on an equitable distribution of the Article 63 of the new constitution: three fifths of the elected members represent the territorial collectivities while the remaining two fifths are elected in each region by electoral colleges composed of elected members of professional chambers and members elected at the national scale by an electoral college composed of wage-earners representatives.

The Parliament holds two sessions a year and the opening of the first session is presided over by the King. The Constitution stipulates that an extraordinary session might be convened at the request of the absolute majority of one of the houses or at the request of the Government.