
Morocco

Morocco performs at the mid-range level across all categories of the Global State of Democracy framework. It is amongst the world’s bottom 25 per cent of countries with regard to Local Democracy, Freedom of Religion and Electoral Participation. Over the last five years, it has experienced notable declines in performance levels for Freedom of Expression. Morocco's economy is diversified, with strong mining and manufacturing industries, including phosphates, textile, and automotive sectors. Natural disasters, such as drought and earthquakes, have had negative impacts on agriculture and tourism. High rates of (youth) unemployment drive migration to Europe, resulting in significant diaspora remittances.
https://www.idea.int/democracytracker/
February 2025
New strike law triggers first general strike in a decade
On 5 February, a new law regulating the right to strike was passed by parliament. The law introduces conditions for organizing and participating in strikes including, among others, advance notice requirements, minimum service levels in essential sectors, and the possibility of fines and administrative penalties for those who fail to comply. Labor unions strongly criticized the law, claiming that it undermines workers' rights. In protest, major unions organized a nationwide strike on 5 and 6 February, the first general strike in a decade. This drew significant participation across key sectors, including transport, healthcare, and education. Unions reports indicated that over 80.0 percent of workers took part, although the figures reported by the government showed lower levels of participation – 32.0 per cent among public sector workers and 1.4 percent in the private sector. Rising living costs were also cited as a major concern driving the strike.
Sources: Barlaman Today, Morocco World News, British Broadcasting Corporation Arabic, The North Africa Post, The North Africa Post (2)
December 2024
Government presents proposal to reform Family Code
On 24 December, the government proposed a reform of the Family Code (Mudawana) which, if enacted, will improve women's rights in marriage, divorce, and inheritance. Coming after years of consultations, this would be the first major revision of the code in 20 years, introducing over 100 amendments. Key proposed changes include raising the legal marriage age from 15 to 17, shared parental guardianship, divorced mothers retaining custody after remarriage, and requiring a wife’s consent for polygamy. Other proposals include simplifying divorce procedures, recognizing wives' contributions to marital assets, and giving parents the right to donate assets to female heirs. The amendments, approved by the Higher Council of Ulemas (the country’s highest religious authority), are now awaiting parliamentary and royal approval, with the legal text still being drafted.
Sources: La Quotidienne, Morocco World News, The New Arab, Le Matin
July 2024
Parliament approves introduction of new Code of Ethics
In July, both chambers of the Moroccan Parliament approved an amendment to their internal regulations, introducing a mandatory Code of Ethics for parliamentarians. This comes after an increasing number of MPs face legal scrutiny due to corruption allegations. The Code requires MPs to act with integrity, disclose conflicts of interest and gifts, and follow established guidelines. Parliamentarians will be required to sign a sworn declaration affirming their commitment to these standards. An Ethics Commission will be created to oversee adherence to the Code and increase public confidence in elected bodies. This Commission will include four members—two from the majority and two from the opposition—who will monitor and report on potential violations. The revised Code also introduces new rules for maintaining respect during oral question sessions and outlines additional guidelines for parliamentary conduct. The final version of the Code is expected to be submitted to the Constitutional Court by November for adoption.
Sources: Chambre des Représentants, Agence Marocaine de Presse (1), Agence Marocaine de Presse (2), Le 360, Aujourd'hui Le Maroc, Barlaman Today
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Global ranking per category of democratic performance in 2023
Basic Information
Human Rights Treaties
Performance by category over the last 6 months
Global State of Democracy Indices
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Factors of Democratic Performance Over Time
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