Chapters & Articles Relating to the Speaker of the House

 

Chapter V – House Members of the Legislative Branch

• Article 27 – Composition of the House, election of the Speaker, oath of office, and leadership role.

• Article 28 – Terms, allowances, eligibility, disqualification, and replacement rules for Members (Speaker ensures compliance).

• Article 29 – Parliamentary immunity and the Speaker’s role in authorizing legal actions against Members.

• Article 30 – Voting procedures, session scheduling, and the Speaker’s role in managing sittings.

• Article 31 – Extraordinary sessions: initiation, agenda control, and closure.

• Article 32 – Opening and closing of certain sessions by the Sultan, coordinated by the Speaker.

• Article 33 – Government members’ right to address the House, facilitated by the Speaker.

• Article 34 – Term length and renewals for the Speaker’s office.

• Article 35 – Public sittings and publication of debates.

Chapter VI – Relations Between Government and the House

• Article 43(5) – Speaker’s authority to submit Private Member’s Bills to the Attorney General for opinion before committee review.

• Article 45 – Speaker’s power to rule a bill or amendment inadmissible.

• Article 49(2) – Speaker’s role in convening mediation committees to resolve legislative deadlocks.

Chapter VII – Treaties and International Agreements

• Article 64 – Speaker’s authority to refer an international agreement to the Constitutional Council for constitutional review.

Chapter VIII – Constitutional Council

• Article 66 – Speaker appoints 13 members of the Constitutional Council, with committee consultation.

• Article 69 – Constitutional Council’s role in ruling on disputed Speaker elections.

• Article 71(2) – Speaker’s authority to refer Acts of the House to the Constitutional Council before promulgation.

Chapter IX – Judicial Authority

• Article 77(1–2) – Speaker appoints two members to the High Council of the Judiciary.

Chapter XIII – Defender of Rights

• Article 88(2) – Speaker appoints the President of the Defender of Rights for a five‑year term, renewable once.

Chapter XV – Transitional Provisions for Trust Territories

• Article 98(6) – Speaker’s participation, alongside the Sultan and Prime Minister, in the formal recognition of a trust territory as a Moorish State.

Speaker of the House – Practical Duties & Procedures Guide

(Empire of Morocco Constitution – Operational Reference)

Chapter V – House Members of the Legislative Branch

Article 27 – Composition and Leadership of the House

Role/Function: Preside over the House, represent it internally and externally, and ensure constitutional procedures are followed. Operational Tasks:

1. Organize and preside over all House sittings.

2. Represent the House in official state functions and inter‑parliamentary relations.

3. Administer the oath of office for Members before the Chief Judge.

4. Maintain order during debates, applying House rules and disciplinary measures when necessary.

5. Oversee the election process for the Speaker’s position and ensure transparency.

Article 28 – Terms and Eligibility

Role/Function: Ensure Members meet eligibility requirements and terms are respected. Operational Tasks:

1. Verify eligibility of Members upon election or appointment.

2. Monitor term limits and initiate replacement procedures when required.

3. Maintain official records of Member terms and allowances.

Article 29 – Parliamentary Immunity

Role/Function: Safeguard Members’ privileges and ensure due process in legal matters. Operational Tasks:

1. Review any legal requests for arrest or detention of Members.

2. Convene the House Bureau to decide on immunity waivers.

3. Maintain a register of immunity cases and decisions.

Article 30 – Voting and Sessions

Role/Function: Manage voting procedures and session scheduling. Operational Tasks:

1. Schedule the annual ordinary session and any additional sittings.

2. Approve and oversee virtual and proxy voting arrangements.

3. Ensure accurate recording of votes in the Official Journal.

Article 31 – Extraordinary Sessions

Role/Function: Coordinate extraordinary sessions and ensure agendas are followed. Operational Tasks:

1. Receive and verify requests for extraordinary sessions.

2. Issue formal notices to Members and relevant authorities.

3. Close sessions upon completion of the agenda or after 12 days.

Article 32 – Opening/Closing by Sultan

Role/Function: Liaise with the Sultan’s office for ceremonial openings/closings. Operational Tasks:

1. Coordinate with the Royal Protocol Office for ceremonial arrangements.

2. Ensure Members are informed of ceremonial schedules.

Article 33 – Government Access to the House

Role/Function: Facilitate government participation in House proceedings. Operational Tasks:

1. Schedule appearances of government members.

2. Ensure smooth integration of government statements into the House agenda.

Article 34 – Term of the Speaker

Role/Function: Provide stable leadership over a seven‑year renewable term. Operational Tasks:

1. Maintain continuity of House leadership.

2. Plan long‑term legislative priorities aligned with term length.

Article 35 – Public Sittings

Role/Function: Ensure transparency and publication of proceedings. Operational Tasks:

1. Arrange for public access to sittings unless otherwise decided.

2. Oversee transcription and publication in the Official Journal.

Chapter VI – Relations Between Government and the House

Article 43(5) – Private Member’s Bills

Role/Function: Submit bills to the Attorney General for opinion before committee review. Operational Tasks:

1. Review Private Member’s Bills for completeness.

2. Forward bills to the Attorney General and track responses.

3. Schedule committee consideration after legal opinion is received.

Article 45 – Inadmissibility Rulings

Role/Function: Ensure legislative proposals meet constitutional and procedural requirements. Operational Tasks:

1. Assess bills and amendments for admissibility.

2. Issue formal rulings on inadmissibility with reasons.

3. Maintain a public record of inadmissibility decisions.

Article 49(2) – Legislative Mediation

Role/Function: Resolve legislative deadlocks. Operational Tasks:

1. Identify when a deadlock exists between the House and other bodies.

2. Convene a mediation committee with balanced representation.

3. Facilitate compromise text and submit for approval.

Chapter VII – Treaties and International Agreements

Article 64 – Constitutional Review of Treaties

Role/Function: Refer treaties to the Constitutional Council if constitutional conflict is suspected. Operational Tasks:

1. Review treaties for constitutional compatibility.

2. Prepare referral documentation for the Constitutional Council.

3. Track Council decisions and communicate outcomes to Members.

Chapter VIII – Constitutional Council

Article 66 – Appointments

Role/Function: Appoint 13 members to the Constitutional Council. Operational Tasks:

1. Identify and vet qualified candidates.

2. Consult the relevant House committee for opinion.

3. Issue formal appointment instruments.

Article 69 – Election Oversight

Role/Function: Ensure legitimacy of Speaker elections. Operational Tasks:

1. Submit election results to the Constitutional Council for validation.

2. Address any disputes raised during the process.

Article 71(2) – Referral of Acts

Role/Function: Refer Acts to the Constitutional Council before promulgation. Operational Tasks:

1. Identify Acts requiring constitutional review.

2. Prepare and submit referral documentation.

3. Communicate Council rulings to the House.

Chapter IX – Judicial Authority

Article 77(1–2) – High Council of the Judiciary Appointments

Role/Function: Appoint two members to the High Council of the Judiciary. Operational Tasks:

1. Identify candidates with required qualifications.

2. Vet for impartiality and integrity.

3. Issue formal appointment letters.

Chapter XIII – Defender of Rights

Article 88(2) – Appointment of Defender of Rights President

Role/Function: Appoint the President of the Defender of Rights. Operational Tasks:

1. Solicit nominations and vet candidates.

2. Confirm appointment in accordance with constitutional procedure.

3. Issue formal appointment and oversee swearing‑in.

Chapter XV – Transitional Provisions for Trust Territories

Article 98(6) – Recognition of Trust Territories

Role/Function: Participate in formal recognition of new Moorish States. Operational Tasks:

1. Coordinate with the Sultan and Prime Minister on recognition ceremonies.

2. Witness and sign recognition instruments.

3. Ensure legislative adjustments for integration.

Don’t Forget

The Speaker’s office is both guardian of legislative integrity and manager of parliamentary operations. Beyond presiding over debates, the Speaker safeguards constitutional compliance, manages high‑level appointments, and acts as a bridge between the House, the Government, and the Sultan.

 

Speaker of the House – Constitutional Mandate

(Empire of Morocco Constitution – Consolidated Provisions)

Chapter V – House Members of the Legislative Branch

Article 27 – Composition and Leadership of the House

• Phrased Summary: The Legislative Branch consists of one Seyaraha from each internal State. The Speaker is the Head of the House; all other members are House Members. Only women may serve as Members; men may serve as staff. The House elects its Speaker, who takes her oath before the Chief Judge.

• Role/Function: Serves as presiding officer and leader of the House, representing the legislative body internally and externally, and ensuring constitutional procedures are followed.

Article 28 – Terms and Eligibility

• Phrased Summary: Institutional Act sets the five‑year term, allowances, eligibility, disqualification, and replacement rules for Members.

• Role/Function: The Speaker oversees adherence to these rules and ensures proper filling of vacancies.

Article 29 – Parliamentary Immunity

• Phrased Summary: Members have immunity for opinions and votes in their duties; arrest or detention requires House Bureau authorization except in certain serious cases.

• Role/Function: The Speaker safeguards Members’ parliamentary privileges and ensures due process in legal matters involving Members.

Article 30 – Voting and Sessions

• Phrased Summary: Voting may be in person or virtual; rules for proxy voting are set by Institutional Act. The House has one ordinary session annually; the Prime Minister or 60% of Members may request additional sittings.

• Role/Function: The Speaker schedules sittings, manages voting procedures, and ensures compliance with session rules.

Article 31 – Extraordinary Sessions

• Phrased Summary: Extraordinary sessions may be called by the Prime Minister or a majority of Members; closure is by decree after agenda completion or 12 days.

• Role/Function: The Speaker coordinates extraordinary sessions and ensures agendas are followed.

Article 32 – Opening/Closing by Sultan

• Phrased Summary: Extraordinary sessions outside automatic sittings are opened/closed by Sultan’s decree.

• Role/Function: The Speaker liaises with the Sultan’s office for session management.

Article 33 – Government Access to the House

• Phrased Summary: Government members may address the House at will.

• Role/Function: The Speaker facilitates government participation in House proceedings.

Article 34 – Term of the Speaker

• Phrased Summary: The Speaker serves a seven‑year term, renewable twice, and may operate in person or virtually.

• Role/Function: Provides continuity and leadership over extended terms.

Article 35 – Public Sittings

• Phrased Summary: Sittings are public unless otherwise decided; debates are recorded in the Official Journal.

• Role/Function: The Speaker ensures transparency and publication of proceedings.

Chapter VI – Relations Between Government and the House

Article 43(5) – Private Member’s Bills

• Phrased Summary: The Speaker may submit a Private Member’s Bill to the Attorney General for opinion before committee consideration.

• Role/Function: Acts as a gatekeeper for legislative quality and constitutionality.

Article 45 – Inadmissibility Rulings

• Phrased Summary: The Speaker may declare a Private Member’s Bill or amendment inadmissible if outside statute scope or contrary to delegation.

• Role/Function: Ensures legislative proposals meet constitutional and procedural requirements.

Article 49(2) – Legislative Mediation

• Phrased Summary: If legislative deadlock occurs, the Speaker may convene a committee to propose compromise text.

• Role/Function: Facilitates resolution of legislative disputes.

Chapter VII – Treaties and International Agreements

Article 64 – Constitutional Review of Treaties

• Phrased Summary: The Speaker may refer an international agreement to the Constitutional Council if it may conflict with the Constitution.

• Role/Function: Protects constitutional integrity in foreign commitments.

Chapter VIII – Constitutional Council

Article 66 – Appointments

• Phrased Summary: The Speaker appoints 13 of the 27 members of the Constitutional Council, subject to opinion of the relevant House committee.

• Role/Function: Shapes the composition of the body that reviews constitutionality of laws and elections.

Article 69 – Election Oversight

• Phrased Summary: The Constitutional Council rules on disputed Speaker elections.

• Role/Function: Ensures legitimacy of the Speaker’s own election.

Article 71(2) – Referral of Acts

• Phrased Summary: The Speaker may refer Acts of the House to the Constitutional Council before promulgation.

• Role/Function: Acts as a constitutional safeguard for legislation.

Chapter IX – Judicial Authority

Article 77(1–2) – High Council of the Judiciary Appointments

• Phrased Summary: The Speaker appoints two qualified, prominent Moroccan nationals to the High Council of the Judiciary.

• Role/Function: Influences judicial governance and oversight.

Chapter XIII – Defender of Rights

Article 88(2) – Appointment of Defender of Rights President

• Phrased Summary: The Speaker appoints the Defender of Rights President for a five‑year term, renewable once, following constitutional procedure.

• Role/Function: Ensures leadership of the body safeguarding rights and freedoms.

Chapter XV – Transitional Provisions for Trust Territories

Article 98(6) – Recognition of Trust Territories

• Phrased Summary: Recognition of a trust territory as a Moorish State requires cooperation and witness of the Speaker alongside the Sultan and Prime Minister.

• Role/Function: Participates in formal acts of state recognition.

TL;DR – Core Mandate

The Speaker of the House is the presiding officer and constitutional guardian of the legislative branch, with powers spanning:

• Leadership & Procedure: Directing House sessions, voting, and legislative flow.

• Legislative Gatekeeping: Controlling admissibility of bills and amendments.

• Constitutional Safeguards: Referring laws and treaties for constitutional review.

• Appointments: Selecting members of the Constitutional Council, judiciary, and rights institutions.

• State Functions: Participating in recognition of new states and treaty oversight.