New Constitution marks the beginning of a new era

Moroccan King : Mohammed VI Tangier – Nagwan Tijani While the Moroccan King, one of the Arab leaders open to the demands for change sweeping the Middle East, has not hesitated in recent months to approve a new constitution, asking the Moroccan political class to ensure the election of a new Council of Representatives “to take care of building on the results of its ballots, and in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution, King Mohammad VI pledged to appoint the Prime Minister from the party that tops the election results, to form a new government from the parliamentary majority, unified and harmonious.
The Moroccan monarch has called for the acceleration of the activation and proper administration and functioning of constitutional institutions in the Kingdom of Morocco as soon as possible.
In a speech delivered minutes ago, the Moroccan King stated: “Our advancement in the constitution to ensure the proper functioning of constitutional institutions is reflected, above all, during this important stage, in our intention to establish it effectively as soon as possible.” He indicated that it should be established in accordance with three pillars, saying: “The first of these pillars is commitment to the spirit and the supremacy of the Constitution and its orthodox approach…and any interpretation or practice contrary to its democratic essence is a violation which will be rejected as contrary to our will, and our lands, by our King and our people.”
King Mohammad VI, who has ruled Morocco for 12 years said that the second pillar is “finding a sound political environment, as created by the Constitution of the new Morocco, full of the spirit of confidence, work, bravery, mobilization, hope, and commitment, to embody the essence of real progress. The third pillar is based in the spirit of positive agreement, to activate the constitutional institutions, effectively drawing up legal texts, and the necessary political reforms aimed at the political landscape and the emergence of a sound, new and advanced institution worthy of the Constitution that guarantees not to produce the negative outcomes and imbalances that currently afflict the scene.”
Mohammad VI warned that slowness to act in this regard “would subject it to dynamic trust, and possible waste of the reforms offered by the new development opportunities and provision of a decent standard of living for out people, as well as the fact that every delay is contrary to the temporary nature of the transitional provisions of the Constitution.” He called upon all relevant actors to adopt a set schedule, which would enable them and other citizens to use clear vision to establish the constitutional institutions.
Mohammad VI added: “In the short-term, precedence must be given for the adoption of new laws relating to legislative, executive, and judiciary institutions.”
As for the Upper House/board of Advisors, the King considered that it should be ratify the regulatory and legislative laws linked to the regional development of other groups, and in the second chamber to hold their own elections, according to a set schedule ad for the installation of the Council of Advisors to be completed before the end of 2012.
The King called for the actors involved to work constructively to provide the appropriate conditions to make the multiple elections a process committed to the values of integrity, transparency, and high responsibility, to make the best interests of the homeland and its citizens the top priority. The King of Morocco confirmed that
legislative rehabilitation remains one of the most important areas of work that it is up to the government and parliament to improve upon before the end of the next legislative mandate. This will require the drawing up of a roadmap for the preparation and adoption of various regulatory laws and the establishment of related institutions, including human rights and development. He called on everyone from every location for “mobilization and civic participation committed to building the edifice of this advanced Constitution in the spirit of trust and teamwork, away from the despair and nihilism of misleading and obsolete practices.”
Mohammad VI also confirmed that Morocco “has passed the time when its sovereignty and territorial integrity were defended with no room for compromise”, stressing that the issue of territorial integrity will continue to be a priority in the domestic and foreign policy of the Kingdom.
He said: “The new supreme law of the Kingdom, as enshrined in the ideal and universal values, and by His Highness and international conventions, as ratified by the Kingdom…is a powerful lever for the work of national diplomacy to serve the higher interests and just causes of Morocco, and to strengthen its influence on regional as well as international levels.” He added: “We believe firmly that this distinct institutional development of the extended regional pillars, and territorial governance in all regions of the Kingdom, including the frontline of the southern provinces, will be a strong support for the autonomy initiative, as a political solution and an end to the fabricated dispute over the Moroccan Sahara, through serious negotiations undertaken in the spirit of compromise and realism, and in the framework of the United Nations, in cooperation with its Secretary General and his personal envoy.”
He continued to say that based on the fundamentals of Morocco’s foreign policy, since his ascent to the throne, he was determined to move forward in serving the best interests of the homeland, and strengthening links of regional affiliation, and the development of international relations, whatever the constraints arising from the troubled international and regional scenes may be.
He emphasized that Morocco’s involvement in international human rights would be strengthened according to the consecration of the new Constitution, and the constitutionalization of the rules of good governance, and that it would consolidate Morocco’s credibility as an economic partner with strong appeal in the field of investment, and free trade partnerships, with several countries and groups.
Mohammad VI indicated: ”the strong involvement of the entire Moroccan people in achieving a great transformation by an overwhelming majority voting on a new constitution which we consider to be a renewed era cementing the close ties between the throne and the people.”
The King added: “We would like first, to pay tribute to the wide participation, and the strong involvement of the Moroccan people, in the cities and the countryside, at home and abroad, individually and in groups, men and women, young people and adults, parties, unions, associations, advisory committees and political mechanisms, and the intellectual elite, in the completion of this great transformation, which the independent national will achieved. This makes it a source of pride for all Moroccans, and makes the outstanding Moroccan model one of international recognition.”
The monarch stated: “This is now a stage of optimistic, spiritual and rational activation for this Constitution to which we are committed, with new guarantors and the proper application…” adding that no matter how perfect it is, the Constitution is not an end in itself, but a solid foundation to move forwards in consolidating the rule
of law and human rights, good governance and development, establishing effective and credible institutions.
The King considered that the biggest challenge now is to educate and mobilize all the actors, in order to make the Constitution a reality, and to reflect the democratization of the state and society together, opening up a future where people can live in freedom and dignity, especially for the youth and the popular classes.
He said: “During the challenges of the next stage we must have strong faith in our national principles, full confidence in ourselves and our abilities, and in the credibility of our institutions, and the validity of out choices, the dynamism of our society, it hard work, and the best environment for trust, which is embodied in the recognition of the Constitution by the masses…by men and women of each generation, and for each of its institutions and bodies.” The King added that the Constitution of 2011, was ahead of the new generation of constitutions, and in turn requires a new generation of the elite, steeped in the culture and ethics of the new political strength, and committed to citizenship and serving the public good. He said: “the adoption of these brae policies will fortify the gains, and evaluate the imbalances, promoting comprehensive reform, because that is the best way to achieve our collective ambition to build a new, unified and advanced Morocco, promising full citizenship for all its citizens, preserving their dignity, and safeguarding their unity and sovereignty.”