In 2017, WFD launched a new two-year programme in Morocco, funded by the British Embassy to promote inclusive and responsive governance in the Moroccan Parliament. This programme runs parallel to ongoing work with the House of Representatives (2016-2021) and House of Councillors (2016-2020).
In response to the protests of the Arab Spring, the King of Morocco introduced a new constitution in 2011. The new constitution strengthens the Parliament’s legislative role, and establishes the principle of gender equality.
Both Houses of Parliament have developed Strategic Plans, setting out a roadmap to enact their new powers as set out in the constitution. Now WFD is working with the Parliament to deliver on these commitments.
WFD is training MPs and parliamentary staff, to improve the effectiveness of committees and the quality of the laws they produce. In the long term, this programme sets out to make the Moroccan Parliament more representative, and more effective in holding the Government to account.
Since March 2016, WFD has also been involved in a European Union Twinning programme to support the Moroccan House of Representatives meet the commitments in the 2011 constitution. The programme brings together expertise from the French National Assembly and the House of Commons coordinated by WFD.
To date, the programme has contributed to the adoption of a new law to introduce public petitions, and the development of research and library management procedures.
Country data
Population: 35.3 million
GDP: $103 billion (USD)
GNI per capita: $2870 (USD)
Media freedom: 66/100 (partly free)
Democracy index: 44/100 (partly free)
Programme data
2004: year of first WFD programme
Results and Activities
Established the Public Accounts Committee in 2015, based on learning from the Westminster model.
The first report of the PAC into fuel subsidies resulted in a successful policy change and opened up public money to be spent elsewhere.
First Public Policy Evaluation (PPE) guide in the Arab region adopted by the Moroccan House of Representatives and presented to all 395 MPs at a plenary session in August 2016.
Adopted a code of conduct to set standards of behaviour for MPs.
Introduced the first women MPs’ working group for reform.
Implementation
Reforming rules of procedure and supporting Research Centre
Planned end: March 2019
EU Twinning
Planned end: March 2018
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