Constitution of Morocco (2011)

The kings preemptive reform constitution keeping decisive royal power.

Overview

Adopted by referendum July 1, 2011 after February 20 protests, the Moroccan Constitution responded to the Arab Spring with anticipatory reform. It makes the king head of state and commander, keeps religious authority as Commander of the Faithful, but shifts government formation toward the parliament, requires the prime minister from the largest party, adds independent commissions, recognizes Amazigh as official language alongside Arabic, and strengthens regionalization. Article 1 declares Morocco a constitutional, democratic, parliamentary and social monarchy, yet decisive powers remain royal. Scholars class it as liberalizing autocratic reform rather than democratic transition.