The Moroccan people were deeply affected by the dramatic events of the Arab Spring in the first months of 2011. The king’s response to the popular uprising that shook the country in February and March of 2011 marked a new chapter in Morocco’s modern history, in which the monarchy’s inventiveness, flexibility, and will to survive were severely tested. Muhammad VI’s deft handling of the crisis was the result of a decade-long inculcation in the practices of monarchical rule, acquired through skillful manipulation of the elite classes, the political parties, and the mass movements played out in the street, that make up the fractured and highly mobile Moroccan political scene.

The first months of Muhammad VI’s rule were characterized by bold acts that set the tone for a decisive departure from the past. The ascent of the youthful king to the throne offered opportunities to introduce far-reaching changes in public perceptions of the monarchy, with the new king’s age and accessibility raising hopes for a more equitable balance between the regime and its people. Immediately upon acceding to power, he placed his stamp on public affairs by positioning the complementary concepts of political liberalization and respect for human rights at center stage. By all accounts, King Muhammad VI’s desire to clean up the residual grievances from the “years of lead” was genuine. In August 1999, he set up a Royal Commission to study the payment of indemnities to former political prisoners, and on September 13, 1999, Morocco’s most famous political prisoner, Abraham Serfaty, along with his wife Christine Daure-Serfaty, was allowed to return home.