Political tensions are escalating in Morocco as the country prepares for elections, with the official campaign set to begin on September 10. The governing coalition is experiencing internal strife, with accusations exchanged among allies and a leaked recording revealing discord among top officials. Voters will go to the polls on September 23 to elect members of the House of Representatives, with candidate nominations opening on August 31. According to the Interior Ministry, 702 candidate lists from 27 political parties were submitted by the end of the first day of nominations.
Approximately 15.8 million voters are registered for the election in a country with a population of 36.8 million, as per the 2024 census. The voting-age population is estimated at around 25 million, according to the High Commission for Planning (HCP). The political contest is already underway as parties finalize candidates and strategize for the upcoming election.
The party that secures the most votes will have the strongest claim to lead the formation of the next government, as the king appoints the head of government from the winning party. However, the multi-party system necessitates coalition-building, meaning the winning party must negotiate with others to secure parliamentary support.
Currently, the governing coalition consists of the National Rally of Independents (RNI), the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), and the Istiqlal Party. Despite being partners in government, they are also rivals competing for votes and influence. Recent tensions were highlighted by a leaked audio recording attributed to House of Representatives Speaker Rachid Talbi Alami, which criticized budget minister Fouzi Lekjaa without naming him directly. The recording followed accusations from the RNI that PAM was attempting to attract its elected officials and candidates.
In response, RNI President Mohamed Chouki and Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch defended internal discussions as part of political debate, emphasizing the need to focus on winning the election rather than preemptively distributing government positions. Lekjaa also rejected the notion of dividing government posts before the election, stating that such discussions were premature.
The political landscape is further complicated by the presence of opposition parties, including the Justice and Development Party (PJD), which governed Morocco from 2011 to 2021 but suffered a significant loss in the 2021 elections. The PJD is now working to rebuild its support and regain influence, focusing on issues such as the cost of living, employment, healthcare, and education, which remain top concerns for voters.
The government has pointed to economic reforms and social protection measures as progress, but opposition parties argue these have not sufficiently alleviated the pressures faced by households. The cost of living remains a significant issue, with inflation slowing but prices for everyday goods still higher than in previous years.
In addition to economic concerns, the recent mass crossing into the Spanish-administered enclave of Ceuta has added a sensitive dimension to the political debate. This incident, which resulted in numerous fatalities, has raised questions about migration, youth opportunities, and Morocco's relations with Spain. The PJD has called for a royal commission of inquiry into the mass migration attempt, further integrating the issue into the electoral discourse.
As the election approaches, the focus will be on how parties address these pressing issues and whether they can effectively communicate their plans to voters, who are increasingly concerned about the impact of government actions on their daily lives.