The case for monarchy in Libya

The answer can be found in Libya’s past, before a twenty-seven-year-old Gaddafi launched his Green Revolution and turned the country’s political system to dust: constitutional monarchy. Indeed, even if the majority of Libyans are too young to remember, the country used to be called the Kingdom of Libya (between 1951 and 1969) under the rule of King Idris. A member of the very influential tribe and religious order called the Senussi brotherhood, King Idris commanded the respect of all other factions making up the Libyan population. Thanks to their considerable influence, the Senussis found the common denominator between the various strains of Islam and the multitude of Libyan tribes. What’s more, they have maintained their clout to the present day, as many tribal leaders are open to the idea of establishing a constitutional monarchy.

Unfortunately, this idea hasn’t gained much traction in the ongoing debate over Libya’s future, as pundits discounted any alternative other than creating a liberal democracy. It comes as no surprise then that when Libyan Foreign Minister Mohamed Abdel Aziz floated the idea for a return to monarchy earlier in April, his speech fell on deaf ears. The Minister argued that a constitutional monarchy would act as a uniting symbol for the nation, a ‘political umbrella’ that would ensure the legitimacy of the institutional process. This could be achieved by reverting back to the original 1951 Constitution, creating a bicameral Parliament and a technocratic government led by a Prime Minister.