Buoyed by the momentum of Tunisian and Egyptian leaders have overthrown dictators and autocrats and the systems up by the latter, a protest is popular in Morocco (where all the ingredients for a serious challenge: poverty, social inequality, massive youth unemployment, corruption, lack of democracy, etc..) demand a change in depth of the constitution and begin a new political era. The Moroccan authorities responded that the situation is different because the process "irreversible" democratization is underway and that freedom of expression exists with the exception of three taboos: the monarchy, religion and the Sahara. In reality, behind an appearance of democracy, the Moroccan political system is an autocratic monarchy that directs and controls almost everything.
DEMOCRACY FOR CRANE
To say that Morocco has embarked on a democratic process, more decoys are emphasized. Firstly, the constitution of 1996 (passed by referendum with a yes to more than 99%!) says that "Morocco is a constitutional monarchy, democratic and social" and that citizens have freedom of opinion and expression, subject limitations imposed by law! Then he set before the last parliamentary elections were free. The election results broadly correspond to the votes actually cast and the parties fielded candidates generally they wanted. Moreover, it is claimed that Morocco has a multiparty system since independence. Finally, many newspapers are published and several radio stations broadcast. Thus, the main criteria for democracy are met and enable public authorities to say that Morocco has embarked on a process of democratization. But behind this appearance, hiding the operation of a scheme rather authoritarian. While it is not North Korea or Libya, but the power is exercised by one man, the king, assisted by advisers, more or less influential and enlightened. We can criticize the government, parliamentarians, local elected officials and prefects, but it is better to prohibit any criticism of the king!
The king reigns and governs alone. After the constitution, he is the head of state, armies and believers. Thus, as commanders of the believers that have virtually all political power, this Constitution establishes a monarchy by divine right. In addition, by the constitution, it has a very broad power of appointment: he appoints and dismisses the discretion freely and Prime Minister and ministers, ambassadors, W alis and governors (prefects) directors of public institutions and administrative authorities, etc.. A little close, he appoints who he wants when he wants and he wants to post! It can dissolve and discretion freely each meeting of parliament. He promulgates laws and may request reconsideration of a bill.
Beyond political terrain, the monarchy took the economic field. Through a holding company it controls, the Omnium North Africa (ONA), the king, and the wider royal family, controls many enterprises (Wana, the country's third mobile operator, Attijariwafa , Morocco's largest bank and seventh in Africa, etc..). ONA is also involved in other sectors (food, insurance, real estate, distribution: the Peugeot and Citroen are marketed through a company controlled by the NFA which is also a shareholder of Lafarge Morocco ). Thus, with ONA, Attijariwafa Bank and Caisse des Depots (whose director is appointed by the king), a significant portion of the economy is controlled by the palace.
LEGITIMACY OF THE KING IS BEYOND DISPUTE
After the constitution, the king's person is "sacred and inviolable" and no member of parliament can not re- because the monarchy or to affect the "respect for the King." Thus, any criticism of acts, gestures or words of the king and the royal family is prohibited. Beyond this indisputable legitimacy, system organized by the palace prevents cons-power, by discrediting the political and justice and controlling the media. Political parties do not really fulfill their role of establishing social projects, to structure the political debate, campaign and oppose the government for those who are a minority. The vast majority of them, with their leaders, are compromised in the system imposed by the king. Indeed, the absence of the majority party in parliament (the first party has about 50 members for a meeting of over 300 MPs), that seven parties are represented in government, former communists, the Conservatives, to the Socialists.
past fifteen years, all governments are "compounds" of representatives of several parties, left and right. The objective is to engage, or compromise, the more possible for parties they do not constitute an opposition alternative to the policies pursued. This is divide and conquer. Also has disrepute because the historical opposition parties - the Party of Istiqlal and l'Union Socialist Popular Forces (USFP) - and their leaders have become faithful servants of the king. These parties, who were in opposition against Hassan II for over thirty years, agreed in 1997 to form a coalition government with the conditions laid down by him, the same as they were denied four years ago. They have since participated in all governments becoming the guarantor of the system (despite internal divisions, including the USFP)!
Moreover, many (not all) politicians do not pursue a political commitment and conviction, but a career and personal interests. Some have close links with influential advisers of the king and are suspected of taking their instructions from the palace, before acting in their party. The conditions under which was formed this government illustrate this: the figures were chosen to enter, not because they belong to a political party, but thanks to their proximity to some of the king's advisers. It was then dressed politically by making them join two or three days before the announcement of the composition of government, political party, to affirm that this government is the result of the political game "natural" and the result of elections.
SUSPICIONS OF CORRUPTION
The discrediting finally explained by the fact that politicians and the government does not choose the policy. Policy orientations and major projects are determined by the palace and the government executes the "royal directives. A democracy can not be run and that if justice is independent, if the law applies to all equally and that justice is done without favoritism. In Morocco, it is not always the case. It is not uncommon to read in the press that criminal proceedings are initiated by a prosecutor after the king's anger against this or as clerk in the state whose king suspect (because it blew him in the ear) dishonesty. Curiously, the machinery of justice is more difficult to engage independently of the king or his advisers. More generally, the entire judiciary is discredited by allegations of corruption.
The existence of several newspapers, radio and TV channels gives the illusion of pluralism. Do not be deceived: if in the early 2000s, these media have initiated an early outspoken, revealing and denouncing the years of lead time Hassan II, they paid the price for their "audacity". Today, no media ventures to criticize the decisions and words of the king or his closest advisers. Bullying is by the prosecution of these media in "dictating" penalties of heavy fines against those newspapers to asphyxiate them financially. Other methods are used: freezing of bank accounts, seizure of equipment working, ruling barring exercise of the journalistic profession, etc.. And call the various advertisers to dissuade them from their ads in these newspapers . Some of their founders were forced to leave the profession and Morocco. Today the media are tightly controlled and any change of language is sanctioned!
In conclusion, a primarily concentrated power in the hands of one man who has no accountability to anyone, a political class and a discredited judiciary and press locked. Here is the reality of "democracy" in Morocco. Talking about the democratic process is not very serious! It is in the interest of the monarchy to listen to the current dispute and agree that the constitution is substantially reformed so that the king reigns supreme governing. The monarchy would show that she understood the meaning of events and history. Juan Carlos had understood in 1975.
Jad Siri, lawyer
The Monde.fr, 02/03/2011
