This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/world-africa-13816974
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 5 | Version 6 |
|---|---|
| Morocco's King Mohammed unveils constitutional reforms | Morocco's King Mohammed unveils constitutional reforms |
| (about 14 hours later) | |
| Morocco's King Mohammed VI has announced proposals for constitutional amendments in a landmark speech. | Morocco's King Mohammed VI has announced proposals for constitutional amendments in a landmark speech. |
| The king said the measures would entrench democratic institutions and protect rights, though he confirmed that he will retain some key powers. | The king said the measures would entrench democratic institutions and protect rights, though he confirmed that he will retain some key powers. |
| The reforms would give the prime minister and parliament more executive authority and make Berber an official language in Morocco, alongside Arabic. | The reforms would give the prime minister and parliament more executive authority and make Berber an official language in Morocco, alongside Arabic. |
| The proposals will be put to a referendum on 1 July. | The proposals will be put to a referendum on 1 July. |
| The king promised in March to introduce "comprehensive constitutional reform" after anti-government protests inspired by those elsewhere in the region. | The king promised in March to introduce "comprehensive constitutional reform" after anti-government protests inspired by those elsewhere in the region. |
| 'Historic transition' | 'Historic transition' |
| Despite the pledge, thousands of pro-democracy protesters have continued to hold demonstrations. | Despite the pledge, thousands of pro-democracy protesters have continued to hold demonstrations. |
| The proposals will be put to a referendum on 1 July. | The proposals will be put to a referendum on 1 July. |
| That is a very swift timetable, which is bound to make the opposition think the king is trying to push through the reforms without proper discussion. | That is a very swift timetable, which is bound to make the opposition think the king is trying to push through the reforms without proper discussion. |
| Initial response has been mixed - some welcoming the ideas, others suggesting they are purely cosmetic. | Initial response has been mixed - some welcoming the ideas, others suggesting they are purely cosmetic. |
| Many activists have been sceptical about the king's promises of change, saying Morocco's 400-year-old monarchy has a long history of enacting superficial reforms. | Many activists have been sceptical about the king's promises of change, saying Morocco's 400-year-old monarchy has a long history of enacting superficial reforms. |
| In his speech broadcast late on Friday on Moroccan TV, King Mohammed outlined his proposals and urged Moroccans to back them. | In his speech broadcast late on Friday on Moroccan TV, King Mohammed outlined his proposals and urged Moroccans to back them. |
| He said that if the reforms were approved, they would "constitute a decisive historic transition in the process of the building of the rule of law and democratic institutions, and in entrenching the principles and mechanisms of good governance". | He said that if the reforms were approved, they would "constitute a decisive historic transition in the process of the building of the rule of law and democratic institutions, and in entrenching the principles and mechanisms of good governance". |
| An amended constitution would also guarantee "dignified citizenship and social justice", he said. | An amended constitution would also guarantee "dignified citizenship and social justice", he said. |
| The independence of the judiciary and efforts to tackle corruption would be boosted, he added, and the reforms would guarantee freedom of expression and gender rights. | The independence of the judiciary and efforts to tackle corruption would be boosted, he added, and the reforms would guarantee freedom of expression and gender rights. |
| 'Real revolution' | 'Real revolution' |
| But the king also said his own powers would be reduced "as much as possible", with the prime minister gaining the authority to appoint government officials and dissolve parliament. | But the king also said his own powers would be reduced "as much as possible", with the prime minister gaining the authority to appoint government officials and dissolve parliament. |
| According to the proposals, various national councils, including a youth council, will enable greater citizen participation. | According to the proposals, various national councils, including a youth council, will enable greater citizen participation. |
| The king said he would remain as the supreme commander of the armed forces, and retain control over security. | The king said he would remain as the supreme commander of the armed forces, and retain control over security. |
| A new article within the constitution formalised his role as the highest religious authority in the country. | A new article within the constitution formalised his role as the highest religious authority in the country. |
| "The integrity of the person of the king should not be violated," he said. | "The integrity of the person of the king should not be violated," he said. |
| "The new formula does not try to put a religious dimension to the person of the king but rather highlights political responsibilities." | "The new formula does not try to put a religious dimension to the person of the king but rather highlights political responsibilities." |
| The proposals were drawn up by a reform panel appointed by King Mohammed. | The proposals were drawn up by a reform panel appointed by King Mohammed. |
| Driss Lachgar, minister in charge of relations with parliament, called the draft "a real revolution". | Driss Lachgar, minister in charge of relations with parliament, called the draft "a real revolution". |
| He said it "laid the foundations for a parliamentary monarchy". | He said it "laid the foundations for a parliamentary monarchy". |
| As the speech ended, cars flying Moroccan flags drove through the streets of the capital honking their horns, and young people marched along the streets banging drums and cheering. | As the speech ended, cars flying Moroccan flags drove through the streets of the capital honking their horns, and young people marched along the streets banging drums and cheering. |
| But some activists were not pleased by the changes. | But some activists were not pleased by the changes. |
| "Before, we had an absolute monarch, now we have an absolute monarch that is a pope as well," said Elaabadila Chbihna, an activist with the February 20 movement that has carried out weekly pro-democracy marches around the country. | "Before, we had an absolute monarch, now we have an absolute monarch that is a pope as well," said Elaabadila Chbihna, an activist with the February 20 movement that has carried out weekly pro-democracy marches around the country. |
| Morocco has been facing severe economic challenges with high unemployment and rising levels of poverty. | Morocco has been facing severe economic challenges with high unemployment and rising levels of poverty. |
| King Mohammed, 47, acceded to the throne in 1999 following the death of his father, Hassan II, and now heads the Arab world's longest-serving dynasty. | King Mohammed, 47, acceded to the throne in 1999 following the death of his father, Hassan II, and now heads the Arab world's longest-serving dynasty. |