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Fez – The major duty of the monarchy is to define the rules of the game of political discourse, to preserve the monarchical institution and its powers, to maintain full control and to ensure the continuity of the dynasty’s rule. The paradox is that under his rule, King Mohammed VI is enlarging the framework set by his father.
King Mohammed VI uses a more liberal, modern and secular paradigm to appease political parties, but he is challenged by the quest to retain control over the political institutions. The King’s relationship towards political parties seems to be ambivalent. While he emphasizes on reforming political parties in order to adapt the monarchy to a new style of governance, including the rule of law, he continues to hold control over the government and political decisions.
Now, 16 years after King Mohammed VI took power, Moroccan democracy is still a work in progress. Under his rule, the country has undertaken a number of significant socio-economic changes, including the National Initiative for Human Development, significant administrative reforms, more liberal attitudes towards the press, the reintegration of political exiles such as Abraham Serfaty and members of the Chabiba El Islamya such as Moutiaa and others, new initiatives on administrative and judicial transparency and the dismissal of Driss Basri, Hassan II’s Minister of the Interior. This latter represented the symbol of authoritarianism, arbitrariness and fear that was embodied in the personal character of the Ministry of Interior.
Based on his speeches since his ascension to the throne, this article analyzes Mohammed VI’s framework of political discourse and his views of political parties and democratization, showing that despite his liberal style of governance, the persistence of patron-client relationship influences parties’ discourses. Here, I will try to examine the different approaches and instruments that prove Mohammed VI employs a more liberal style vis-à-vis the political forces. Also, through his speeches, I will try to evaluate the question of whether the King’s quest for democracy remains symbolic.
In the early years of independence, the palace was obliged to take into consideration the views of the Istiqlal Party and the USFP, given the strengths these parties had during that period. Gradually, the monarchy succeeded in exerting its control over the political system and decisions were taken by the palace. King Hassan held firmly to power through the use of repression and co-optation; meanwhile, he occasionally made some concessions to calm down national and international pressure. Similarly, Mohammed VI’s style of governance conveys that Morocco is experiencing a period of liberalization of state institutions, which is a part of the liberalization process initiated by Hassan II.
Since his accession to the throne on July 30, 1999, Mohammed VI has looked forward to revitalizing the state institutions as a requisite to building “democracy” through a more liberal style. He has defined a new concept of authority and provided a meaning to politics. Also, he has urged political parties to adopt close-proximity approaches, and he consults with them on some issues, such as the Sahara dossier. The King’s initiatives are a response to the recent socio-economic changes and political pressure on both the local and international levels.
1- King Mohamed VI and the Instrumentalist Vision
In a speech given during the opening of the Parliament’s fall session in 2002, King Mohammed VI emphasized the building of a stronger democracy along with strong political parties, based on the principles of constitutional monarchy, the rule of law and individual liberties. He also stated in his speech on the occasion of the Revolution of the King and the People that “efforts to build a stronger democracy will still be inadequate unless there are strong political parties.” The King points out in the former speech that democracy is not an end per se.
However satisfied we may be with the new stage we have reached in the democratic process, for which all legal and political protections have been provided, the question remains: did we merely want to have a chamber which is truly representative of all the political parties? Definitely not, for democracy is not an end per se, but rather a means to get more people involved in the running of their affairs and to promote mobilization in support of development[1].
He added:
The democracy we seek to achieve will not come to fruition until the structural obstacles, namely illiteracy and poverty have been removed. At the same time, the role of political parties should be enhanced by passing the relevant legislation and public life should be governed by sound ethical rules[2].
Democracy is a part of other priorities that the government and particularly the opposition forces should address in a realistic and rational way. There are four priorities that the King identifies: productive employment, economic development, relevant education and improved housing. The King mentions in the 2002 speech to Parliament that “standard practice in parliamentary life requires that the opposition displays creativity, refrains from making unrealistic promises and avoids engaging in pointless controversies.[3]” These showdowns, he suggests, “will certainly not generate jobs for the unemployed, educate the illiterate, restore the rights of victims of injustice or preserve the dignity of those in need[4]” (Mohammed VI, 2002). Therefore, the King suggests that employment is the principal worry of every Moroccan family and it is the cure for social ills, particularly poverty and exclusion. These social problems cannot be removed except through “effective solidarity built on a partnership between the government, local authorities and representatives, the private sector”[5]
Moreover, economic development will make it possible to afford jobs for the large numbers of jobless young people. In addition, full implementation of educational programs to eradicate illiteracy would help sustain productive jobs. Accordingly, the King urges Parliament in the first session of the third legislative year to participate in “the rehabilitation of politics in its notable meaning[6]” (Mohammed VI, 2004). In doing so, he praises the parties’ contribution to the building of “democracy” or for the achievement of the priorities he had identified. He states in a speech delivered on the occasion of Revolution of the King and the People in Tetouan:
I would like to commend political parties for subscribing to these objectives: to build a solidarity based, democratic, united, open and prosperous nation and for expressing readiness to respond positively to my call urging them to fulfill their basic roles with respect to sanitizing and leading people, preparing qualified elites to run public affairs and to take up the crucial challenges of achieving sustainable development, in a civilized, truly democratic way[7] (Mohamed VI, 2004).
To address these priorities is by no means an easy task. There is no alternative, but the most important issue, as the King points out, is to determine the scale of responsibilities lying with the government and Parliament. What is also really at stake is to have a consensus on the country’s major issues or priorities. The King says during the opening of the Parliament’s 2002 fall session:
Today, and indeed tomorrow, the challenge for Morocco does not lie in making a choice between the various political parties and trends. What is really at stake is to determine whether we want democracy and commitment, or confusion and defeatism, or whether we prefer modernity and openness to fanaticism and ostracism. In short, it is progress versus regression, in a world where challenges and conflicts are on the increase, and where the race against the clock is such that what is possible today may not be possible tomorrow. These are the stakes Morocco has no alternative but to win[8] (Mohammed VI, 2002).
- Close-Proximity Approach
Rehabilitation of politics, according to Mohammed VI, includes both the Parliament and political parties. Mohammed VI emphasizes “close-proximity” in addition to the constitutional mandate as the two major constituents to come closer to meeting the society’s needs. During the opening of the Parliament’s fall session, he focuses on the need to enhance the role of political parties to carry out their activities and get a deep insight into the real issues of citizens. He holds that both these institutions need to “voice the nation’s concerns and give citizens a realistic idea as to what extent these concerns may be addressed.” He adds, “…this is the path to follow if you are to accomplish your mission as a link between the people and the government[9]” (Mohammed VI, 2012).
Thus, the majority should not confine itself to supporting the government within the somewhat narrow framework of Parliament and government agencies, but it should also take such steps as will deeply impact all members of society. In particular, as the King underlines during a speech coinciding with the fiftieth anniversary of Morocco’s independence and the King’s commemoration of his accession to the throne, the aim is to help parties “to come out with realistic programs and concrete solutions to their problems and also to rally support for all issues of local or national interest.”
By establishing a renovated and effective legal framework, this would enable political parties “to draw their juridical legality from their democratic legitimacy.” This should promote the founding of parties that are likely to offer specific, original, collective answers to major issues confronting our society. In addition, the role that the King commends to political parties has as its objective the creation of political institutions that would confront the society’s needs instead of seeking to fulfill personal ambitions or accommodate narrow interests (Mohammed VI, 2005).
- Consultation
In order to rehabilitate political parties from seeking to further personal interests, Mohammed VI emphases on dialogue and consultation, this led to the drafting of a law on political parties in 2004. The goal was to ensure that these institutions abide by the rule of law and fulfill their constitutional role with respect to representing and guiding citizens, training elite for participation in democratic rule and serving public interests. As the King emphasizes in a speech receiving the Parliament’s speakers, “a law on political parties should be drafted[10]” (Mohammed VI, 2004).
On the occasion of Throne Day in 2004, Mohammed VI urges that:
…political parties would thus form an important link between the state and the citizens and support the initiatives of civil society in the field. I am determined to see that political institutions are strengthened and their actions rehabilitated, so that a political landscape with distinct political forces who have clearly-defined platforms may emerge[11] (Mohammed VI, 2004).
Similarly, the King demonstrates through his speeches his deep interest in a broad-based constructive consultation with all the political parties. He states on the occasion of the seventh anniversary of Morocco’s Throne Day,
Showing all the esteem in which I hold the country’s political institutions as well as my opposition to unwarranted hostility towards them and cheap negation. As a matter of fact, all the national parties, whether they form the government or are in the opposition have contributed to building a modern state, based on the rule of law and on institutions, within the framework of constitutional monarchy [12] (Mohammed VI 2013).
As a matter of fact, all the national parties, whether they form the government or are in the opposition have contributed to building a modern state, based on the rule of law and on institutions, within the framework of constitutional monarchy[13]” (Mohammed VI, 2013). Also, the King tends to collaborate and consults with political parties mainly on the issue of the Sahara. He states in a speech in Laayoune:
In keeping with the tradition of consulting the nation’s force while forging ahead with irreversible policy of democratic practice, I availed myself of the thirtieth anniversary of the glorious Green March to announce my decision to engage extensive consultations with political parties and with the sons of the regions concerned on the proposal Morocco intends to submit for self-rule in our southern provinces, as a final solution to the artificial dispute over the Moroccaness of our Sahara[14].
He adds,
Much headway has been made regarding consultation with political parties and I now wish to call on my subjects, in our southern provinces, to engage a serious, careful reflection and put forward their views on the self-rule project, within the framework of the kingdom’s sovereignty, national unity and territorial integrity[15] (Mohammed VI, 2006).
4-Institutionalization Approach
Unlike King Hassan II who asserted monopoly over key matters, Mohammed VI emphasizes institutionalization of royal powers. The royal committees are responsible over important dossiers and their institutionalization reinforces the power of the monarchy. This institutionalization approach strengthens the centrality of the monarchy; therefore, guarantying its predominance in politics although reforms that strengthened the role of the parliament and political parties. The key decision of the state are taken in the royal palace.
Decisions are not taken by the person of the king alone but in concert with a team of advisors whose opinion and influence are of far greater weight than the government’s officials, ministers and representatives. Although political parties were charged to create new elite to face the new challenges, it was a way “to give them a voice in decision making as well as regulating their integration into the political system: on the other hand, it is a way of affirming the preeminence and the efficiency of the monarchical institution”[16].
Whether the underlying principle behind this tendency is, as Zerhouni declares, to modernize the monarchical institution, make it more efficient or to strengthen royal control over decision making, it is obvious that it is leading towards a “hybrid system.[17]” This hybrid system is defined as a “combination of royal committees and state institutions with the same functions[18]”. This was embodied in different royal committees, without definite rules responsible for human rights, education, reform of family code and other issues like the civil rights even though there are other ministries in charge of those issues.
Building on his father’s example, Mohammed VI’s institutionalization approach adopts co-optation of elite strategy. Following the legislative elections of 2007, the King nominated Appas El Fassi as Prime Minister, as he did with Abdelilah Benkiran, respecting the dictates of the constitution and its creeds. Meanwhile, Mohammed VI’s co-optation includes the integration of other civil society activists, namely Abraham Serfaty, Mohamed Chafik and Driss Benzekri, Idriss Yazami,Salah El Ouadie, who were respectively appointed to National Bureau of Energy, the Royal Institute of Amazigh Culture and Secretary General of the Royal Consultative Council on Human Rights.
The big question that remains is whether the subsequent governments succeeded in the implementation of the royal aspires and discourses
[1] All the royal speeches are retrieved from the official website of the government www.maroc.ma and the civil society network.”
[16] Zerhouni, Saloua: “Morocco: Reconciling Continuity and Change.” In Arab Elites: Negotiating the Politics of Change, ed. Volker Perthes. Lynne Rienner Publishers. 2004. Pp. 61-87.
[17] Homy Bhabha, The Location of Culture, Routledge: London& New York,1994.
[18] Ibid,p63
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The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Morocco World News’ editorial policy
