Reform, Not Revolution: Morocco and the Arab Spring (Photo: Qantara.de)

The mass protests that began in February 2011, mostly in Morocco's urban centres, have become the "Mouvement 20 Février" or "M20" for short. Demonstrations of a previously unknown kind keep on criticising poverty, illiteracy and unemployment. Participants demand social justice and a balanced economy as well as an end to corruption and paternalism.

King Mohammed VI and his court responded fast and with sensitivity. Several unemployed academics were given jobs. Subsidies were introduced for basic food. Another measure, however, was even more important. After addressing the nation on 9 March, the monarch appointed a commission to draft a new constitution.

The new constitution was approved in a referendum on 1 July. It accepts the principle of separate branches of government, and is geared to democratise political parties, the parliament and the judiciary.

The king, moreover, is now requested to appoint the prime minister from the ranks of the party that gets the most votes in elections. The constitution no longer considers him "holy", though he is still the "untouchable leader of the Muslim faithful". Apart from religious matters, he is still in charge of foreign affairs as well as defence and security matters. On important issues, the balance of power has thus stayed the same.

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By Helmut Reifeld

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