Morocco’s Parliament Opens Spring Session Ahead of Elections, Government Review

Marrakech – Morocco’s two chambers of parliament opened the second session of their fifth legislative year on Friday in Rabat, setting the stage for a busy stretch of lawmaking, government scrutiny, and diplomatic positioning ahead of upcoming legislative elections.

A joint plenary session is already scheduled for next Wednesday, where the government will present its performance review before both houses under Article 101 of the Constitution.

Lower house: 39 bills on the agenda

House of Representatives Speaker Rachid Talbi El Alami said the session opens in the context of global crises and their geopolitical and economic fallout, but argued that Morocco’s model continues to stand out thanks to resilient economic indicators and what he described as credible and clear diplomatic positioning.

On the Western Sahara file, Talbi El Alami pointed to growing international support for Rabat’s autonomy plan following UN Security Council Resolution 2797, calling the shift “a decisive turning point” in how the international community handles the dispute.

He urged lawmakers to maintain diplomatic vigilance and build on the momentum generated since October 31, 2025, in line with the King’s address to the nation on that date.

The lower house has a packed legislative calendar. Talbi El Alami stated 39 bills are lined up for examination, including 23 related to international agreements, alongside texts on state modernization and the regulation of several professions.

On oversight, he disclosed that 2,481 questions – 865 oral and 1,616 written – were submitted to the government during the inter-session period. He called on the chamber’s bodies to accelerate oversight work and foster debates that produce meaningful decisions reflecting the maturity of Morocco’s institutional democracy.

Talbi El Alami concluded by acknowledging that while parliament’s achievements are a source of pride, they also carry significant responsibilities. He called for sustained internal mobilization and greater productivity, insisting that parliamentary work must deliver tangible results for citizens while strengthening public trust in institutions.

Upper house: Internal rules overhaul and audit review

Chamber of Advisors Speaker Mohamed Ould Errachid framed the session as carrying “particular significance,” noting it coincides with expanded regional development programs and precedes a major electoral cycle. He signaled that the chamber intends to scrutinize the government’s track record while pushing forward on pending legislation.

Several high-priority bills are expected to come before the chamber in the coming days. Ould Errachid said these are either in their final stages of adoption at the government level or in advanced phases of interministerial coordination.

He also stressed that the focus on government-sponsored legislation should not come at the expense of bills proposed by chamber members themselves, describing parliamentary initiative as “an essential constitutional mechanism.”

On oversight, Ould Errachid disclosed that since the close of the previous October session, the chamber received 215 written questions and 451 oral questions directed at the government, with 143 written responses returned. He added that a joint session with the lower house is planned to review the Court of Auditors’ report on the activities of financial courts during 2024-2025.

The speaker also announced plans to fast-track a revision of the chamber’s internal rules, with a draft expected to go before the relevant committee soon. The goal is to finalize the update before the session ends, in coordination with the House of Representatives and subject to review by the Constitutional Court.

On the diplomatic front, Ould Errachid said the chamber had expanded its bilateral and multilateral parliamentary engagements during the inter-session period, aligning its efforts with Morocco’s broader foreign policy priorities, particularly the defense of the Western Sahara cause.

He closed by urging members to treat the session not as a routine legislative exercise but as an opportunity to demonstrate that parliamentary work can deliver strategic, measurable impact.

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