Morocco - Government
Based on the etymolgy of Morocco, it was the English name "Morocco" derives from, respectively, the Spanish and Portuguese names "Marruecos" and "Marrocos," which stem from "Marrakesh" the Latin name for the former capital of ancient Morocco; the Arabic name "Al Maghrib" translates as "The West". The Government system in this country is the parliamentary constitutional monarchy type and the different Administrative divisions includes: 12 regions; Beni Mellal-Khenifra, Casablanca-Settat, Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab, Draa-Tafilalet, Fes-Meknes, Guelmim-Oued Noun, Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra, Marrakech-Safi, Oriental, Rabat-Sale-Kenitra, Souss-Massa, Tanger-Tetouan-Al Hoceima
National symbols
Pentacle symbol, lion; national colors: red, green.
The flag
The National flag of Morocco has red with a green pentacle (five-pointed, linear star) known as Sulayman's (Solomon's) seal in the center of the flag; red and green are traditional colors in Arab flags, although the use of red is more commonly associated with the Arab states of the Persian Gulf; the pentacle represents the five pillars of Islam and signifies the association between God and the nation; design dates to 1912.
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The National Anthem
| Title | "Hymne Cherifien" (Hymn of the Sharif) |
|---|---|
| Lyric/music | Ali Squalli HOUSSAINI/Leo MORGAN |
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note: music adopted 1956, lyrics adopted 1970
More about the government of Morocco
| Date of Independence | 2 March 1956 (from France) |
|---|---|
| National holiday | Throne Day (accession of King MOHAMMED VI to the throne), 30 July (1999) |
| Legal system | mixed legal system of civil law based on French civil law and Islamic (sharia) law; judicial review of legislative acts by Constitutional Court |
| International law organization participation | has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt |
| Constitution | |
| History | Several previous; latest drafted 17 June 2011, approved by referendum 1 July 2011; note - sources disagree on whether the 2011 referendum was for a new constitution or for reforms to the existing constitution |
| Amendments | Proposed by the king, by the prime minister, or by members in either chamber of Parliament; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote by both chambers and approval in a referendum; the king can opt to submit self-initiated proposals directly to a referendum |
| Citizenship | |
| Citizenship by birth | no |
| Citizenship by descent only | the father must be a citizen of Morocco; if the father is unknown or stateless, the mother must be a citizen |
| Dual citizenship recognized | yes |
| Residency requirement for naturalization | 5 years |
| Executive Branch | |
| Chief of state | King MOHAMMED VI (since 30 July 1999) |
| Head of government | Prime Minister Aziz AKHANNOUCH (since 7 October 2021) |
| Cabinet | Council of Ministers chosen by the prime minister in consultation with Parliament and appointed by the monarch; the monarch chooses the ministers of Interior, Foreign Affairs, Islamic Affairs, and National Defense Administration |
| Elections/appointments | the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch from the majority party following legislative elections |
| Legislative branch | |
| Description | Bicameral Parliament consists of: House of Councilors or Majlis al-Mustacharine (120 seats; members indirectly elected by an electoral college of local councils, professional organizations, and labor unions; members serve 6-year terms) House of Representatives or Majlis al-Nuwab (395 seats; 305 members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote and 90 directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by proportional representation vote; members serve 5-year terms); note - 60 seats reserved for women and 30 seats for those under age 40 in regional multi-seat constituencies, with the seats divided proportionally among the 12 regions by population size of the region |
| Elections | House of Councillors - last held on 5 October 2021 (next to be held by 31 October 2027) House of Representatives - last held on 8 September 2021 (next to be held by 30 September 2026) |
| Election results | House of Councillors - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - RNI 27, PAM 19, PI 17, MP 12, USFP 8, UGIM 6, CDT 3, PJD 3, UC 2, UMT 2, Amal 1, FDT 1, MDS 1, PRD 1, independent 1; composition - men 106, women 14, percentage women 11.7% House of Representatives - percent of vote by party NA; seats by party - RNI 102, PAM 87, PI 81, USFP 34, MP 28, PPS 22, UC 18, PJD 13, MDS 5, other 5; composition - men 299, women 96, percentage women 24.3%; total Parliament percentage women 21.4% |
| Judicial branch | |
| Highest court(s) | Supreme Court or Court of Cassation (consists of 5-judge panels organized into civil, family matters, commercial, administrative, social, and criminal sections); Constitutional Court (consists of 12 members) |
| Judge selection and term of office | Supreme Court judges appointed by the Superior Council of Judicial Power, a 20-member body presided over by the monarch, which includes the Supreme Court president, the prosecutor general, representatives of the appeals and first instance courts (among them 1 woman magistrate), the president of the National Council for Human Rights (CNDH), and 5 "notable persons" appointed by the monarch; judges appointed for life; Constitutional Court members - 6 designated by the monarch and 6 elected by Parliament; court president appointed by the monarch from among the court members; members serve 9-year nonrenewable terms |
| Subordinate courts | Courts of appeal; High Court of Justice; administrative and commercial courts; regional and Sadad courts (for religious, civil and administrative, and penal adjudication); first instance courts |
| Diplomatic representation in the US | |
| Chief of mission | Ambassador Youssef AMRANI (since 27 February 2024) |
| Chancery | 3508 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 |
| Telephone | [1] (202) 462-7979 |
| FAX | [1] (202) 265-0161 |
| Email address and website | [email protected] Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco in the United States (diplomatie.ma) |
| Consulate(s) general | New York |
| Diplomatic representation from the US | |
| Chief of mission | Ambassador Puneet TALWAR (since 4 October 2023) |
| Embassy | Km 5.7 Avenue Mohammed VI, Souissi, Rabat 10170 |
| Mailing address | 9400 Rabat Place, Washington DC 20521-9400 |
| Telephone | [212] 0537-637-200 |
| FAX | [212] 0537-637-201 |
| Email address and website | https://ma.usembassy.gov/ |
| Consulate(s) general | Casablanca |
| National heritage | |
| Total World Heritage Sites | 9 (all cultural) |
| Selected World Heritage Site locales | Medina of Fez; Medina of Marrakesh; Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou; Historic City of Meknes; Archaeological Site of Volubilis; Medina of Tétouan (formerly known as Titawin); Medina of Essaouira (formerly Mogador); Portuguese City of Mazagan (El Jadida); Historic and Modern Rabat |
Key Political parties and their leaders in Morocco
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International organization participation
All Important Facts about Morocco
Want to know more about Morocco? Check all different factbooks for Morocco below.
