The multi-party system in Morocco : between the limitations of a "controlled pluralism" and an "authoritarian multi-party" dilemna

Anchored in the political history of the national Movement, and largely associated with the anti-colonial fight alongside the Sultan, the Moroccan parties were typically granted, if not full power, at least the lion's share in the exercise of power in an independent Morocco. Actually, and in spite of their constitutionally recognized function as organizations and citizens' representatives, parties formed out of the national movement were undermined and marginalized by the monarchy which promoted a multi-party system to help maintain and consolidate its own leadership. The succession of elections that mark the political history of Morocco, provided a context in which parties could express and renew themselves under the close watch of the Monarchy and without any real competitive dimension as to the appropriation of power. Despite liberalization of the regime that began a decade ago with a vision of a revived party system, the Moroccan multi-party system is better defined as an "authoritarian pluralism", with the constraints and dilemmas imposed by the political regulation of an authoritarian regime: the parties must accept to continue the game of integration or co-optation and risk weakening their social bases all the while increasing their popular discredit; the monarchy must secure the help of the parties through electoral legitimacy in order to guarantee, if not its hegemony at least its stability and survival.