Washington, DC (December 6, 2011) — On Thursday, an expert panel will offer their insights on the challenges and opportunities facing Morocco after its recent parliamentary elections. Specifically, how were the elections conducted? What were the results and what do they mean? What are the likely outcomes of forming a coalition government and implementing reform under the new Constitution? What are the implications for the region and for US policy?

The roundtable will take place on:

Thursday, December 8, 2011 at 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at
1777 F Street, NW, First Floor, Washington, DC 20006

Participants include:

Dr. Anouar Boukhars, Asst. Professor of Political Science & International Studies, McDaniel College

Shari Bryan, Vice-President, National Democratic Institute

Edward M. Gabriel, former US Ambassador to Morocco

Lahcen Haddad, Recently Re-Elected Member of Parliament for the Popular Movement (MP)

Robert Holley, Executive Director, Moroccan American Center for Policy

Please RSVP with Name and Affiliation to cdearing@moroccanamericancenter.com

On November 25, millions of Moroccans went to the polls to elect the first Parliament under the new Constitution ratified on July 1. The Justice and Development Party (PJD), the moderate Islamic party, will have the largest presence in the new Parliament with 107 of the 395 seats. His Majesty King Mohammed VI has appointed Abdelilah Benkirane, leader of the Justice and Development Party (PJD), as Prime Minister and asked the PJD to form the new governing coalition, a process that is now underway. Over the past two decades, Morocco has demonstrated its commitment to democratic reforms. Nevertheless, questions remain about how they will be implemented and what this election and its results mean for Morocco’s political future.

For more about Morocco’s democratic reforms, visit www.moroccoonthemove.com and follow us on Twitter – @MorocOnTheMove

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The Moroccan American Center for Policy (MACP) is a non-profit organization whose principal mission is to inform opinion makers, government officials and interested publics in the United States about political and social developments in Morocco and the role being played by the Kingdom of Morocco in broader strategic developments in North Africa, the Mediterranean, and the Middle East. For more, please visit www.moroccanamericanpolicy.org

This material is distributed by the Moroccan American Center for Policy on behalf of the Government of Morocco. Additional information is available at the Department of Justice in Washington, DC.