CASABLANCA, Morocco — It has been eight years since the outbreak of the so-called Arab Spring. At that time, the February 20 Movement was born in Morocco, led by Moroccan leftist parties and supported by Al Adl Wal Ihsane, a political Islamic association that is not legally recognized by the Moroccan state. On that day in 2011, tens of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of Rabat and many other Moroccan cities to demand freedom, dignity and social justice.
Among other things, protesters called on dissolving parliament and the government, which was headed by Abbas El Fassi at the time. Many Moroccans saw Fassi as a symbol of political monopoly as his family and relatives occupied various positions in power since the beginning of the 20th century. In addition, protesters demanded the adoption of a democratic constitution that expands the powers of the government and the parliament, and ensures the independence of the judiciary.
