Politics Ledger · Middle East & North Africa
Morocco
Electoral autocracyConstitutional monarchyUnitary
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In charge
Mohammed VI
King
Time in power
27.3 yrs
since 1999
Government seats
52%
majority
Next national vote
2031-09
Legislative
Governance score
35/100
composite of five indices
One of the world's oldest monarchies, Morocco regained independence from France and Spain in 1956. After decades of repression ("years of lead"), it has pursued managed liberalisation with a strong palace.
Leadership
Who Governs Morocco
Head of state
Holds executive powerMohammed VI
King
Since 23 July 1999 · 27.3 years
Age 63 (born 1963)ManRoute to power: hereditary
Head of government
Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri
Head of Government · PAM
Since 29 September 2026 · 0.1 years
Age 50 (born 1976)WomanRoute to power: appointed
Ruling coalition
PAM, Istiqlal, USFP and PPS (207 of 395 seats)
Main opposition
National Rally of Independents (RNI) and the Islamist PJD
Last national election
23 September 2026
Legislative
PAM won 97 seats, ending RNI's lead; El Mansouri became the first woman head of government.
Next national election
By September 2031
Legislative
Government sworn in on 16 October 2026. The King retains control of religion, defence and foreign policy.
Recent changes (last 12 months)
Parliament
House of Representatives
Seat distribution (Elected 23 September 2026), ordered from economic left to right.
| Party | Ideology | Seats | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) | Liberalism, Monarchism | 97 | governing |
| National Rally of Independents (RNI) | Liberalism, Business | 66 | opposition |
| Istiqlal (PI) | Nationalism, Conservatism | 65 | coalition |
| Justice and Development Party (PJD) | Islamic democracy | 54 | opposition |
| Popular Movement (MP) | Amazigh rural conservatism | 29 | opposition |
| Socialist Union of Popular Forces (USFP) | Social democracy | 26 | coalition |
| Others (OTH) | Various | 22 | opposition |
| Party of Progress and Socialism (PPS) | Socialism | 19 | coalition |
| Constitutional Union (UC) | Liberal conservatism | 17 | opposition |
Ideology
Party Landscape
Each party placed on economic and social axes, sized by seats.
Institutions
The System
- Official name
- Kingdom of Morocco
- Capital
- Rabat
- Population
- 38 million
- Statehood
- Alaouite dynasty since 1666; independence 1956; Constitution 2011
- System
- Constitutional monarchy
- Structure
- Unitary
- Current constitution
- 2011
- Legislature
- Parliament
- Lower / sole chamber
- House of Representatives (395 seats)
- Upper chamber
- House of Councillors (120)
- Electoral system
- Closed-list PR with a quotient based on registered voters.
- Term limits
- None; the King appoints the head of government from the largest party.
Sources
- Ministry of Interior
- MAP, Sept-Oct 2026
- EIU Democracy Index 2024; Freedom House, Freedom in the World 2025; RSF World Press Freedom Index 2025; Transparency International CPI 2024; IPU Parline, 2026; V-Dem v15 Liberal Democracy Index (approximate five-year readings)
Last verified 2026-10-29. Party placements are editorial estimates.
Data as of 2026-10-29.