The idea of adopting consensual alternance goes back to 1992 under the reign of the late Hassan II following a constitutional overhaul which has been prepared for more than five years. Consensual alternance finally came into existence on March 14, 1998. Abderrahmane Youssoufi, a socialist figure, was entrusted with the post of Prime Minister, thus allowing to the opposition to establish a governmental majority by allying with other parties.

Alternance meets some specific needs of Morocco. It aims at reflecting the new face of the political scenery, building confidence between parties and inaugurating a new era of democratic transition.

Addressing the new Cabinet members, late HM Hassan II declared: « This day (March 14, 1998) will mark the history of the new Morocco and remain a historic day for the idea of alternance that we have long been seeking and for its implementation that we have carried out and developed recently in the throne speech. Therefore you all incarnate this idea and this virtue in the management of State affairs ».