Morocco's king gives greater power to politicians after protests

London, Jun 18 (ANI): Morocco's king Mohamed VI has rewritten the country's constitution to give elected politicians greater power after biggest protests in decades.

Mohamed VI announced the reforms in a TV address, keeping exclusive control over the military and religion.

The draft constitution, which will be put to referendum on July 1, sees some power being shifted away from the Arab world's longest-serving dynasty and from the tight clique of palace officials who dominate Morocco, The Guardian reports.

Among other measures, the new constitution explicitly states that the king will now have to pick the country's Prime Minister from the party that wins elections to what, up until now, has been a largely rubber-stamp parliament.

Analysts pointed out that the prime minister would be in charge of domestic policy, he does so with the king's permission.

After facing the biggest protests in decades, the king ordered a committee in March to draw up the new constitution after discussions with political parties, trade unions and NGOs. (ANI)