Moroccan Parliament Struggles with Legislative Efficiency and Transparency

Friday 27 December 2024 - 08:50

By: Dakir Madiha

Moroccan Parliament Struggles with Legislative Efficiency and Transparency

A recent comprehensive analysis has unveiled significant challenges facing Morocco's parliamentary system, highlighting concerns over legislative effectiveness, governmental oversight, and public accessibility. The study, conducted by SIMSIM - Citizen Participation, examines the performance of parliamentary standing committees during the third year of the current legislative term.

The analysis reveals a notably low success rate in the amendment process, with merely 22.75% of proposed modifications gaining approval. Of the 1,692 amendments submitted across 18 approved bills, only 385 received either full or partial acceptance. The Civil Procedure Bill (02.23) emerged as the most successful, with a 29.54% amendment acceptance rate.

Parliamentary productivity showed modest results, with standing committees processing 22 government bills, of which 18 received final approval. Social sector legislation dominated the agenda, followed by financial and educational matters.

The report identifies particular concerns regarding governmental oversight functions. Only 34 meetings were dedicated to oversight activities across all committees, with the Infrastructure, Energy, Minerals, Environment, and Sustainable Development Committee proving most active, holding nine sessions. The Education, Culture, and Communication Committee followed with six meetings.

Ministerial participation patterns revealed varying levels of engagement. The Minister of Agriculture demonstrated the highest level of involvement with five committee appearances, while the Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development attended three sessions. Several other cabinet members limited their participation to one or two meetings.

Transparency emerged as a significant issue. Despite internal regulations providing mechanisms for public engagement, including provisions for televised committee sessions and study days, these tools remain largely unused. The 2011 Constitution's Article 68 maintains committee sessions as confidential by default, with public access granted only under specific circumstances.

The committees conducted nine fact-finding missions during this legislative term, investigating various sectors from border crossing management to university housing conditions. However, several initiated missions have yet to produce final reports.

A striking inefficiency in the legislative process became apparent through the analysis of parliamentary group proposals. Of 70 law proposals submitted, only four gained approval after being consolidated into a single proposal.

These standing committees, which trace their origins to the French parliamentary model introduced with Morocco's first constitution in 1962, have evolved into essential parliamentary instruments. They maintain legislative functions even during inter-session periods and possess the authority to approve legislation through decree-laws during these intervals.

The findings suggest a need for substantial reforms to enhance legislative efficiency, strengthen oversight mechanisms, and improve transparency in Morocco's parliamentary system. The challenges identified point to systemic issues that require attention to ensure more effective governance and public representation.