Moroccan king proposes constitutional changes

Rabat: Morocco's King Muhammed VI Friday proposed changes to the country's constitution, devolving the king's powers to the prime minister and parliament, Xinhua reported.

In a speech late Friday evening on Doha-based Al-Jazeera TV, the 47-year-old king said the proposals to amend the Moroccan constitution will be put to a referendum in July, adding that he will vote "Yes" for the draft in the referendum.

The king in his speech said "democracy is our way," and vowed to "develop a new democratic constitution charter."

The changes strengthen the authority of the country's prime minister and parliament, and the prime minister would become the " president of the government", and would be able to appoint government officials, an authority previously held only by him, the king announced.

The prime minister would have the power to dissolve the parliament, he said, adding that the king would remain a key power- broker in the security, military and religious fields.

In future, the head of government should come "from the ranks of the political party which comes out top in parliamentary elections," the king said.
 

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(Photo: IANS)