RABAT: Moroccans have given a resounding “yes” vote to a new constitution proposed by King Mohammed VI, who offered reforms in a bid to quiet protests inspired by pro-democracy uprisings in the Arab world. More than 98 percent of voters backed a new constitution put forward in a referendum on Friday, Interior Minister Taib Cherkaoui announced on state television just after midnight. Voter turnout was 72.65 percent, he added. Faced with demonstrations modeled on those that ousted long-serving leaders in Tunisia and Egypt, Mohammed VI announced the referendum last month to devolve some of his powers to the prime minister and parliament, saying the reform would “consolidate the pillars of a constitutional monarchy.” Critics denounced the result and the youth-based February 20 Movement, which organized the weeks of pro-reform protests, announced it would hold another demonstration on Sunday. “The movement will demonstrate peacefully on Sunday to protest against this result,” Najib Chaouki, one of the movement's leaders, said. “This referendum was illegal because it was marked by massive violations of democratic principles,” he said. Authorities insisted, however, that the result was a major step forward for the country. “We have turned a page in our history and opened the door to participatory democracy,” Communications Minister Khalid Naciri said after results were announced. The result was welcomed abroad, with French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe saying the Moroccan people had made a “clear and historic decision.” “In the context of a shaken region, where the democratic process had to be imposed by confrontation, sometimes violent... Morocco has succeeded in four months, peacefully and with dialogue, to take a decisive step,” he said in a statement. European Union leaders said, “We welcome the positive outcome of the referendum on the new Constitution in Morocco and commend the peaceful and democratic spirit surrounding the vote.” “Now we encourage the swift and effective implementation of this reform agenda,” a statement said, adding that “Moroccan citizens should remain at the center of this process and the inclusive dialogue with their representatives should continue and grow stronger.” The United States had also hailed the referendum as “an important step in Morocco's ongoing democratic development.” Under the draft constitution, the king will remain head of state, the military, and the Islamic faith in Morocco. But the prime minister, chosen from the largest party elected to parliament, will take over as the head of government.
