Election Date: September 7, 2007

Abstract: At Stake: National Assembly

At Stake: National Assembly

Background

This northwestern African kingdom gained its independence from France in 1956. Spain also relinquished its powers in Morocco completely by 1958.

Morocco remained a sultanate after independence, with King Muhammad V as head of state. He is remembered for his intervention in favour of Algeria's Muslim rebels under his policy of "positive neutrality". The sultan's son, Hassan II, took over in 1961. The sultan enacted a new constitution that established a bicameral parliament and started a series of liberalization reforms.

Hassan promoted what he called "Hassanian democracy" in the country, a system allowing for political freedom but recognizing the monarch's supreme authority overall. Border hostilities with Algeria in 1963 cost both sides many lives, but a final agreement on the border was reached in 1970.

In the 1970s, Morocco disputed Spain's sovereignty over parts of the Sahara desert. In 1974, Hassan led a "Green March" of over 300,000 people into the region. In 1976, Spain gave up control of the area ceding it to Morocco and Mauritania as Western Sahara. Morocco took over Mauritania's portion of Western Sahara in 1979. Saharan guerrillas backed by Libya fought for independence.

In 1991, a ceasefire was agreed upon following the restoration of relations between Morocco and Algeria. Western Sahara is to this day a territory occupied by Morocco.

In August 1999, King Hassan II died after 38 years on the throne and his son, Prince Sidi Mohammed, was crowned King Mohammed VI. The monarch authorized the release of several political prisoners, and permitted the operation of moderate Islamic political parties.

Despite efforts by the current sultan and his father to turn morocco into a more open political system, the country remains under tight Islamic rule and law to this day, and the military and more radical Islamists still have great power in Morocco.

Morocco has an estimated population of 32.7 million and a high unemployment rate estimated at 20 per cent. The Moroccan economy is mostly based on agriculture, a sector employing about half the work force. France and Spain are Morocco's main trade partners.

In the September 2002 election to the Assembly of Representatives, the Socialist Union of Popular Forces (USFP), a left-of-center party, won 50 out of the 325 seats, becoming the largest force in the lower house. Now, it governs in alliance with the ultra-nationalist Independence Party (Hizb al-Istiqlal).

In October 2002, Driss Jettou was appointed by Mohammed VI as prime minister. Jettou is not a member of any political party, but governs with the support of the Socialist Union of People's Forces (USFP) and the Independence Party (Hizb al-Istiqlal). Jettou had previously served as finance minister and interior minister.

2007 Assembly of Representatives Election

A poll released in February 2006 by IFES revealed that 58 per cent of respondents in Morocco think the authorities that oversee their elections are neither trusted nor impartial.

On Feb. 23, Moroccan interior minister Chakib Benmoussa announced that an election to the 325-seat lower house would take place on Sept. 7. The two parties that currently dominate the Assembly of Representatives—the Socialist Union of People's Forces (USFP) and the Independence Party (Hizb al-Istiqlal)—will face a challenge from the Islamist Justice and Development Party (PJD).

On Jul. 30, Mohammed VI issued his annual address and discussed the upcoming ballot, saying, "It is up to everyone to make the coming election to the Assembly of Representatives a new opportunity to consolidate democratic normality. (...) This would provide a tangible expression to your will and allow a credible governing majority and an active, constructive opposition to emerge."

On Aug. 16, Frances Fitzgerald, who leads the monitoring mission organized by the United States-based National Democratic Institute for International Affairs, referred to a series of court cases involving journalists, declaring, "There have been notable challenges to press freedoms in advance of the elections."

Fitzgerald said some of the cases involve journalists who allegedly offended the King, adding, "None of these cases directly concerned election coverage. (...) The changing press environment could have an effect on the broader political debate and, thereby, work against the broader, key goal of strengthening democratic processes and institutions."

On Aug. 17, the registration for this year's election officially began. About 15.5 million adults are eligible to vote in Morocco.

On Aug. 20, Mohammed VI told Moroccans to "respect the will of the people" and called for a clean and fair election, adding, "You are called to choose your future. Participation in democracy is part of a citizen’s responsibilities. (...) Do not give your trust to those who do not deserve it and do not sell your vote. By doing so you give up your constitutional right to vote freely." In accordance with existing regulations, at least 30 seats in the legislature will be held by women.

Voting took place on Sept. 7. Two parties—Democratic Path (Annahj Addimocrati) and Amazigh Democratic Party (Al-hizb addimocrati al-Amazighi)—boycotted the election, but 33 other political organizations took part in the ballot.

Preliminary results released on Sept. 8 showed that the main opposition Justice and Development Party (PJD) would fall short in its bid of becoming the largest political faction in the Assembly of Representatives. PJD member Lahcen Daoudi declared: "We will have a maximum of 56 seats because money was changing hands all over the place. But we still think we will be the biggest party, and if we are not, it really will be the wrong way round."

Turnout was tabled at 41 per cent—the lowest level in eight years. Interior minister Chakib Benmoussa expressed disappointment, saying, "The challenge today is to think of the best way of mobilizing the electorate in support of political action. That is everybody’s responsibility: officials, political parties and civil society."

Final results released on Sept. 10 gave the Independence Party (Hizb al-Istiqlal) 52 seats, followed by the Justice and Development Party (PJD) with 46 mandates, the People’s Movement (MP) with 41 seats, the National Rally of Independents (RNI) also with 41 mandates, and the Socialist Union of People’s Forces (USFP) with 38 seats.

On Sept. 19, Jettou and his cabinet resigned, and Abbas El Fassi was appointed as prime minister. On Oct. 15, Mohammed VI presented the new 33-minister government, with El Fassi as prime minister, Chakib Benmoussa as interior minister, Taieb Fassi-Fihri as foreign minister, Salaheddine Mezouar as finance minister, and Abdelwaheed Radi as justice minister. The Popular Movement (MP) is not included in the cabinet.

Political Players

King: Mohammed VI
Prime minister: Abbas El Fassi

Legislative Branch: The Parliament has two chambers. The Assembly of Representatives (Majlis an-nuwab) has 325 members, directly elected to five-year terms. The Assembly of Councillors (Majlis al-moustasharin) has 270 members, indirectly elected to nine-year terms.

Results of Last Election:

Assembly of Representatives - Sept. 7, 2007

	Seats
Independence Party (Hizb al-Istiqlal)	52
Justice and Development Party (PJD)	46
People’s Movement (MP)	41
National Rally of Independents (RNI)	41
Socialist Union of People’s Forces (USFP)	38
Constitutional Union (UC)	27
Party of Progress and Socialism (PPS)	17
National Democratic Party (PND) and Covenant Party (Parti Al Ahd)	14
Front of Democratic Forces (FFD)	9
Democratic and Social Movement (MDS)	9
PADS - CNI - PSU Union National Congress Party (PCNI) / Democratic Socialist Avant-garde Party (PADS) / United Socialist Party (PSU)	6
Labour Party (PT)	5
Environment and Development Party (PED)	5
Party of Renewal and Equity (PRE)	4
Socialist Party (PS)	2
Moroccan Union for Democracy (UMD)	2
Citizens’ Forces (FC)	1
Alliance of Liberties (AL)	1
Citizenship and Development Initiative (ICD)	1
Party of Renaissance and Virtue (PRV)	1
Independents	5

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