Moroccan Protests and the Monarchy's Response

Morocco's opposition youth movement is calling on followers to boycott a July 1 constitutional referendum proposed by King Mohammad VI. The situation in Morocco differs markedly from the uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt, as the bulk of the population appears to be more interested in maintaining the monarchy as the state's primary unifying force than in demanding full regime change. That said, Morocco's various opposition forces recognize the opportunity they have in calling for political reforms while the monarch is under pressure. The king appears to be equipped to handle growing political dissent, but his success is not certain.