Democratic Transition in Morocco

Achievements and Future Challenges

Resumo

The transition to democracy is a recent phenomenon in most developing countries. Morocco is no exception in this regard. After centuries of absolute rule, a timid democratic transition was launched by the late King Hassan II in the mid-1990s. While the first steps of the democratic transition were launched by the late King Hassan II, the strengthening of this process began only when Crown Prince Mohammed became King after the death of his father in 1999. A number of steps were taken by the new King: strengthening the right of women, creation of a truth and reconciliation commission and launching anti-poverty programs. However, the most important aspects of democratization were in the form of open and clean elections held in 2002 and in 2007. As many of the positive initiatives and policies that have been enacted were the work of the new King and not of the ruling political parties, many people trust the King more than they trust the parties.