Moroccan Constitutional Court Triggers By-Elections After Cabinet Appointments
The Moroccan Constitutional Court recently declared five parliamentary seats vacant, setting the stage for by-elections. This decision follows the appointment of five members of parliament (MPs) to Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch’s cabinet on October 23, 2024. The court deemed their new roles incompatible with their legislative duties, triggering a constitutional provision requiring their parliamentary seats to be vacated.
This move underscores the principle of separation of powers, a cornerstone of many democratic systems. Similar situations occur in other parliamentary democracies like the United Kingdom or Canada, where members of parliament appointed to ministerial positions must resign their seats and trigger a by-election. This process ensures that constituents are represented by a dedicated MP and avoids potential conflicts of interest. While the exact procedures and timelines may vary between countries, the underlying principle of maintaining distinct legislative and executive branches remains consistent.
The Constitutional Court’s decision came in response to a request from the Speaker of the House of Representatives on
