When the late King Hassan II of Morocco (May God have mercy on him) told a French journalist, “Any ruler who does not love his people will not rule them for long”, he was laying down the golden rule for a kingdom that has upheld this principle for nearly 600 years. When I previously stated that Moroccan democracy is mature enough to correct its mistakes without any severe consequences, I was drawing from the country’s centuries-old experience.
This is precisely why the speech delivered by King Mohammed VI at the opening of the current parliamentary term serves as the foundation for a new phase of legislative and governmental action. In his speech, King Mohammed VI focused primarily on the concerns of the Moroccan people, followed by what he personally observed during his visits to cities in the country, often without a royal entourage. The King, as the primary supervisor of the government’s executive actions, interacts directly with citizens. In this context, when King Mohammed VI said in his recent speech, “We call upon you (the MPs) to be vigilant and committed to defending the causes of the nation and its citizens,” it was a clear message of accountability, as the MPs represent the oversight authority over the government’s actions.
On the other hand, His Majesty emphasized that the Members of Parliament must identify and deal with shortcomings. “This issue is not the responsibility of the government alone, but rather the responsibility of everyone, especially you, the honorable parliamentarians, because you represent the citizens”, King Mohammed VI stated in his speech. The constitutional monarchy practiced in Morocco is the result of decades of experience and the tireless efforts of political parties and groups that work with dedication and sincere cooperation to build a modern, advanced state without compromising the nation’s stability.
In recent events, the King and the Royal Palace have closely monitored developments, working to ensure that the demands of young people are met. On several occasions, the King toured cities personally to assess the situation on the ground, often setting aside protocol. His primary concern had been to reassure the public and affirm his solidarity with the people. The King was very clear in his message to government officials and parliamentarians - “We call on everyone, each from their position, to combat all practices that waste time, effort, and resources. We do not accept any negligence that harms public investment.”
His statement was aimed at ensuring outcomes based on a “win-win” principle can be achieved. This has been in place for years, as any disruption to the balance undermines the entire equation and renders efforts ineffective.
It is one of the core principles on which modern democratic states are built, where the aim is to turn crises into opportunities while maintaining justice. Based on this, King Mohammed VI outlined the priorities for the next phase, stating, “It has become necessary to reconsider the development of mountainous regions, which cover 30 percent of the national territory, and to provide them with an integrated public policy that takes into account their specificities and numerous potentials, so that the production cycle between rural and urban areas is completed.” The King’s directives were clear to all state institutions - listen attentively to the people, understand their demands, and treat them with fairness.
The palace’s stance on the youth protests was also clear, urging restraint, discouraging vandalism, and emphasizing that public property belongs to the people. This guidance was evident when young protesters voiced their concerns in a civilized manner. Shortcomings in government performance occur in any country.
However, when there is strong oversight over the legislative, executive, and administrative bodies, reforms tend to happen faster. This is exactly what occurred in Morocco. Recent events have proven the validity of the golden rule established by King Hassan II (May God have mercy on him). King Mohammed VI has now added a new principle - the voice of the people must be heard by both the government and parliament.
