For the past 7 months of the Arab Spring, there has been a fascination with posters about where the process will take each of the countries. Nothing seems clear on the near horizon. While Morocco has taken a major step forward, despite the criticisms of “too little, too top down,” there is one obvious conclusion: that the test will come as a new Parliament sets out to take control of the powers afforded to it under the new Constitution. The political parties have not been known as bellwethers for good governance or independent thinking. Now is their opportunity. Can they meet the King halfway on this democratic road or will they run for cover rather than test the King’s resolve?
