RABAT - Urged on by King Hassan, traditionally cautious Morocco is starting an experiment to extend democracy which could break the centreright's stranglehold on power. Diplomats and political commentators said yesterday that the overwhelming vote - 99.56 per cent - in favour of changing the constitution in last Friday's referendum opened the door to two major changes.
These include providing the opposition the chance of a majority voice for the first time in three decades of centre right party rule and giving disadvantaged rural people, who for nearly half the population of 27 million, more say in what happens in the North African country.
