June 26, 2011
A CHANCE TO AVOID BRITAIN'S MISTAKES:
The Moroccan King's Speech: An Arab leader jumps on the democracy train. (WSJ, 6/25/11)
The Maghreb state's ruler, King Mohammed VI, responded to demands for democracy with political reform, not tear gas and bullets. In a half hour address on Friday night, the nearly absolute monarch laid out a proposal to share power and strengthen individual rights. Moroccans will vote on constitutional changes on July 1.If the amendments pass, as expected, Morocco would take a step closer to a constitutional monarchy. The king would be obliged to choose a prime minister from the party that won the most seats in parliament. The new head of government will have the right to dissolve the legislature, previously a royal prerogative, though he or she would still need the king's support. The judiciary becomes an independent branch. Religious freedoms are guaranteed, and Berber would be a second national language, alongside Arabic. These changes enshrine in law some minority protections in a country that prides itself as one of the most tolerant places in the Muslim world.
The reforms fall well short of full democracy. Opposition leaders, who've led peaceful protests since February, wanted a parliamentary democracy with a more symbolic role for the monarch, a la Spain or Britain. King Mohammed VI is offering greater political representation but has retained ultimate authority.
If the king isn't going to have day-to-day executive functions--as he shouldn't--then an elected leader, independent of the legislature, must. And the monarch needs to retain some veto powers.
Posted by oj at June 26, 2011 8:09 AM
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