King to Lose Power in Morocco Reforms

Morocco's King Mohammed VI Announces Constitutional Referendum

King Mohammed VI of Morocco announced a referendum which would see the monarchy losing some of its political power.

Under the proposed changes to Morocco's constitution, the Prime Minister would be in control of the government, and Parliament would have expanded powers. This move comes as the Moroccan king seeks to head off the wave of pro-democracy unrest that has swept North Africa and the Middle East in recent months.

Libya is in the middle of a civil war; Syria, Yemen and Bahrain are not too far behind as government troops use deadly force in attempts to quell widespread resistance to centralized power. King Mohammed knows that it's only a matter of time before Morocco's citizens are emboldened enough to make his life truly difficult.