The message of the revolution sweeping the Arab world is simple: reform, or be swept from power. While Morocco hasn't seen the sort of protests seen in Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya, the country's monarch has got the message, and pledged significant constitutional reform:
Morocco is officially a constitutional monarchy with an elected parliament. But the constitution empowers the king to dissolve the legislature, impose a state of emergency and have a key say in government appointments including the prime minister.These are all things we take for granted, because our ancestors fought for them back in the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. Now Moroccans will have those rights too. This would not have happened without protest, and it is something we should all welcome.The monarch said the reform would make the judiciary independent, have a freely elected parliament with new powers, a government elected by parliament, a prime minister from the majority party and greater powers for political parties.
