His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco

8/4/2019 His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco

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His Majesty King Mohammed VI

Commander of the Faithful

August 20, 2011 (MAP)

Here fol lows the ful l text of the Royal speech;

Praise be to God

May peace and blessings be upon the Prophet, His Kith and Kin.

Dear Citizens,

Our celebration, today, of the fifty-eighth anniversary of the Revolution of the King and the People ischaracterized by your endorsement of an advanced Constitution, which opens up promising

democratic prospects for completing the construction of a modern state based on institutions and

the rule of law.

The new Constitution lays the groundwork for extensive regionalization, and this marks a turning

point in our history. It seeks to achieve the modernization and rationalization of state institutio ns

through the adoption of fundamental reforms based on good local governance. These reforms are

meant to boost integrated development, enhance social justice and ensure a dignified li fe for all

Moroccans.

Our greatest asset, in this respect, is the creativity and dynamism of our youth, whom we are

celebrating today. Indeed, our young people are fully qualified to hold aloft the torch of the epic

event of 20 August, as part of a distinctive, purely Moroccan approach in which they can fully rise to

the challenges faced, in keeping with the unshakable relationship between the people and the

nations First Servant, as well as the enduring spirit of the Revolution of the King and the People.

I consider the optimal implementation of the new Constitution to be the gateway to political action

aimed at promoting development and shoring up confidence as well as collective commitment to

the rule of law. It is the proper way to stimulate the economy and to foster productive investment


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which can help our citizens particularly deprived segments of our population enjoy a free,

dignified life.

This is the greatest challenge of all . We must all strive doubly hard to rise to that challenge through

institutions that serve as the driving force for democracy and development.

At the current political juncture, the main concern should not be to simply view the upcoming

elections as a legitimate opportunity to win the most seats; the real challenge is to achieve aqualitative leap and turn elections into a national campaign for the choice of the best programs and

the most competent elites. The aim is to ensure the actual implementation of the Constitution gets

off to a good start, and to generate strong momentum as our country stands on the verge of a

crucial political transition.

Increasing trust and confidence in the forthcoming elections does not end with the consensus on

good preparatory measures. In fact, all political actors ought to commit to a clear vision in order to

enhance the credibility of elections and avoid issuing preconceived judgements on results even

before elections are held, and casting doubt on the integrity of elections for narrow political

considerations, which only serve the enemies of democracy and the proponents of scepticism andnihilism.

This means the nations stakeholders the government, parliament, political parties, the citizens,

civil society and the media face a real test. They have a historic responsibility to shoulder; they

have to make the nations best interests prevail over all other cons iderations.

In this regard, the government departments and the judicial authorities concerned with organizing

the elections must strictly comply with the law, apply the mechanisms for political and

parliamentary integrity, provide for the conditions of fre e electoral competition, deal with political

parties on an equal footing and observe a policy of positive neutrality.

They must firmly address all violations, combat the illicit use of money and vote -buying which spoil

elections, and fight against the abuse of power as well as the devious use of religion and the nations

sacred values for electoral purposes.

Needless to say, party activism and electoral campaigns require fair, transparent financing, which is

determined by the law; and it is the law which punishes any breach of those rules and regulations.


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Whatever the quality of the legislative framework or the resolve of the government departments,

the role given to political parties by the new Constitution is crucial in terms of ensuring electoral

integrity and preserving the sanctity of institutions.

Political parties are therefore expected to compete in developing creative, realistic election

platforms which meet our citizens real concerns they are also called upon to recommend qualified

candidates who are able to live up to legislative and executive responsibility, whether they are in the

Government or in the Opposition.

Parties should also encourage the participation of women and young people in order to have

competent elites and to inject new blood into political life and constitutional institutions.

Given the extensive powers afforded to local councils by the local democracy approach, I think

political life in our country in terms of both philosophy and practice is about to witness a

fundamental change which involves more than just government posts and seats in parliament.

Indeed, vast prospects will be opened up through the election of thousands of regional, provincial

and local councillors. Regional, provincial and local councils are basic institutions for forming elites

who will run public affairs.

To highlight the noble essence of political commitment, political stakeholders have to view the

electoral mandate as more than just a concern for seats on central, local or regional councils, given

the possibility they offer of being close to the citizens legitimate concerns and basic needs.

To voters who, by voting freely, help express the will of the people, I want to say this: By taking part

in the ballot, you are doing more than merely exercising a personal right.

You are delegating, to whomever you vote for, the power to manage public affairs on your behalf.

This makes it incumbent upon you to realize the particular importance of voting, a right whichshould not be subjected to any kind of manipulation. You should display a sense of national duty as

you choose realistic programs and vote for honest, qualified candidates.

To candidates, I want to say this: Now is the time to do away with the shameful electoral practices

which, in the past, weakened the credibility of elected councils and undermined the noble essence

of political action.

Whoever intends to stand for the upcoming elections must bear in mind that the Constitution

establishes a clear link between the exercise of power and accountability .


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Given the status conferred by the Constitution on civil society and the media in promoting the values

of responsible citizenship, these institutions are called upon to effectively play their role with respect

to the legal, independent and impartial observation of elections.

Dear Citizens,

It is a fact that the modernization and democratization of state institutions hinges on the transfer of

central government powers allowed by the new Constitution, in keeping with the principle ofseparation of powers.

However, to achieve this goal, it is necessary to establish an advanced regionalization system in

which certain central government powers are devolved to regions, in accordance with principles of

local democracy and good governance. This should make it poss ible to ensure balanced, integrated

solidarity-based regional development, which puts an end to the colonial motto of useful and

useless Morocco and to inter-regional inequalities.

To lay the structural groundwork for advanced regionalization a major project which I view as a

new revolution of the King and the people priority should be given to the preparation of the

organic law relating to it, given that it also concerns regional council elections as well as other

regulatory measures needed to set up the second House.

Furthermore, the social rehabilitation fund and the inter-regional solidarity fund should quickly

become operational in order to support the programs of the National Initiative for Human

Development aimed at combating poverty, marginalization and social exclusion through income-

generating activities and job opportunities, especially for our youth.

Our young people, who are discerning and responsible, are now at the very heart of an institutional

and political modernization project. The rights and duties stipulated by the Constitution, and the

institutions of responsible citizenship it provides for, make it possible to increase our young peoples

involvement in democratic reforms and development projects.

Just as I care deeply for our citizens at home, I want to pay tribute to Moroccans who live abroad for

their strong attachment to their homeland, their keenness to nurture family bonds with their

relatives here, and their great enthusiasm and eagerness to contribute to developing their coun try

and defending its just causes.

I should like to say how keen I am to ensure the optimal implementation of the provisions of the

new Constitution, which stipulates, for the first time, that Moroccans living abroad are to enjoy the


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full rights of citizenship. The Constitution also calls for safeguarding their interests in their countries

of residence, and for ensuring the widest possible participation of the Moroccan expatriate

community in our national institutions and in the management of public affai rs.

Dear Citizens,

The commemoration of the Revolution of the King and the People, which this year coincides with the

last ten days of the holy month of Ramadan a period characterized by a sense of special spiritualfulfilmentvividly reminds us of the heroes of the struggle for freedom, independence and unity led

by my grandfather, His Majesty King Mohammed V, and by my father, His Majesty King Hassan II.

May they rest in peace.

I hereby reaffi rm the mutual pledge between you and me to continue holding aloft the torch of the

ever dynamic Revolution of the King and the People. The commemoration of Youth Day, which is a

source of inspiration for us, reminds us of the values of solidarity, sacrifice, steadfastness and

commitment to unrelenting action in order to enhance our countrys standing in a sensitive regional

and international environment. Such values make it possible for us to showcase our sound,

democratic model to achieve development in a spirit of unity, solidarity, confidence, hope andstability.

Wassalamu alaikum warahmatullah wabarakatuh.

Documents

His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco