Morocco is a parliamentary constitutional monarchy with Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches, and a multi-party system. The 2011 Constitution broadened the legislative powers of the Head of Government and Parliament. It also provides for an independent judiciary and mandates that the Head of State, King Mohammed VI, appoint a Head of Government from the party winning a majority in Parliamentary elections.
The Executive branch consists of the Head of Government (currently Prime Minister Abdelilah Benkirane); and a Cabinet of Ministers proposed by the Prime Minister and appointed by the King.
The Legislative branch consists of a bicameral legislature:
- The Chamber of Councilors (the upper house), with 120 seats, elected indirectly by local councils, professional organizations, and labor unions. Two-thirds of the Members serve six-year terms, one-third serve three-year terms.
- The Chamber of Representatives (the lower house), with 395 seats, elected directly by popular vote for five-year terms.
The Judicial branch consists of communal and district courts, courts of first instance, appellate courts, a Supreme Court, and a new Constitutional Court instituted by the 2011 Constitutional reform.