Moroccan voters will find candidates from 27 parties on the ballot in the upcoming parliamentary elections. Disillusioned young voters in Morocco are being courted with football slogans, promises of one million jobs, and anti-Israel rhetoric ahead of the elections scheduled for Wednesday. However, many young Moroccans express a sense of disconnect from the political process. "I have no hope for this election. I'm ashamed of our political scene. It's a complete circus," stated Siham Azeroual, a 32-year-old environmental activist from the Atlas region.
The election outcome will determine the composition of the next government, following a recent migration crisis where 60,000 individuals crossed from Morocco to the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, highlighting the lack of opportunities for young people in the country. Morocco operates as a constitutional monarchy, with political parties competing for 395 seats in the House of Representatives. However, executive power is closely linked to the crown, as King Mohammed VI appoints the prime minister from the leading party and presides over the Council of Ministers.
This election cycle follows a wave of protests by Gen Z in September 2025, driven by concerns over unemployment, healthcare, and living costs. Demonstrators called for "freedom, dignity, and social justice," targeting current Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch with chants of "get out Akhannouch." Over 2,400 individuals faced prosecution after the protests, yet some young activists are now entering the political arena. Hamza El Kharroubi, a 29-year-old who was briefly arrested during the protests, is running for parliament with the Environment and Sustainable Development Party, which emphasizes a green agenda. He stated, "As a young person, I don't have much hope. I joined this party because they wanted more Gen Z faces and they are allowing us to speak freely about our demands."
El Kharroubi, who hails from Tetouan, near the beach where the migration wave began, noted the need for justice for families of those who died attempting the crossing, linking the migration to economic hardship and unemployment. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) reported an overall unemployment rate of 13% last year, with youth unemployment at 37.3%.
Fouzi Lekjaa, president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, has emerged as a significant political figure, joining the centrist Party of Authenticity and Modernity (Pam) in July. His campaign has gained traction, particularly among football fans, as he promises to elevate Morocco's education and healthcare systems to match the national football team's success. The Pam party is competing against 26 others, including Akhannouch's National Rally of Independents (RNI), which aims to create one million job opportunities by 2031.
Political analyst Rachid Aourraz from the Moroccan Institute for Policy Analysis expressed skepticism regarding the RNI's job creation promise, stating, "The slogan 'one million jobs' has become an overused electoral slogan."
The Islamist Justice and Development Party (PJD) is also campaigning on anti-Israel sentiments, with former Prime Minister Abdelilah Benkirane leading the charge against the normalization of ties with Israel, which occurred in December 2020. Despite protests against Israeli diplomatic presence during recent conflicts, Israel and Morocco have agreed to open full embassies in each other's countries.
With over half of Morocco's population under 35, only 4% of registered voters are aged 18 to 24. Hiba, a 27-year-old Moroccan living in Canada, noted the disconnect between young voters and the political campaigns, stating, "I am not keeping up much with the campaigns - but I noticed the same faces as usual." She expressed a desire to participate in the elections if she could find a proxy in Morocco.
Azeroual, the environmental activist, believes that change must come from a multi-faceted approach, stating, "I think young people should focus on the microscale - rather than running for office, helping build communities and connecting with people and then building up to the top." Despite her doubts about the political campaigns, she plans to vote in the upcoming elections.