Abstract

This research paper examines the transition from electoral legitimacy to performance legitimacy within the Moroccan constitutional system, in light of the transformation undergone by the concept of political legitimacy, from a focus on the legitimacy of access to power through elections to a broader concern with the capacity of elected institutions to exercise power effectively and deliver tangible results. Elections constitute one of the principal democratic mechanisms for renewing political elites and conferring political mandates. However, the value of such a mandate can only be fully realized through its translation into public policies that respond to citizens’ economic and social needs, contribute to strengthening trust in institutions, and consolidate political legitimacy. The paper highlights government performance as a key domain for assessing the effectiveness of electoral legitimacy, particularly through the executive branch’s capacity to implement its programs, fulfill its stated commitments, improve the quality of public services and facilities, promote social and territorial justice, and uphold the principles of good governance and accountability. Performance legitimacy has consequently gained increasing importance due to its direct connection with citizens’ everyday lives and with their levels of trust and satisfaction with elected institutions. The paper concludes that political legitimacy in the Moroccan context is not confined to the electoral moment; rather, it assumes a dynamic character that is continuously renewed through institutional practice, achieved results, and responsiveness to societal demands. This reflects a gradual shift from conceiving legitimacy primarily as source-based legitimacy, grounded in electoral mandate, toward a broader understanding that also encompasses performance and achievement legitimacy. Such a development strengthens the complementarity between representative democracy and the effectiveness of public policies, while making the quality of achieved outcomes a fundamental element in sustaining political legitimacy and institutional trust.

Keywords

Electoral Legitimacy; Performance Legitimacy; Political Legitimacy; Moroccan Constitutional System; Government Performance; Institutional Trust.