As Morocco gears up for its legislative elections scheduled for September 23, a youthful generation that took to the streets a year ago is grappling with a more pressing question than simply choosing a party or candidate: can their voices truly effect change? Following a year marked by the protests of "Generation Z 212," which emerged as one of the most significant expressions of youthful discontent in Morocco, political engagement among segments of the youth seems to be on the rise. However, their trust in political parties and institutions remains fragile. While some young people encourage one another to vote, others fear that the elections may merely reproduce the same political landscape that incited their protests.
The 2025 protests were ignited by widespread frustration over the conditions of healthcare, education, and public services, eventually broadening their demands to encompass government spending priorities, social justice, and corruption. These demonstrations showcased the capability of a new generation to organize itself through digital platforms like Discord, stepping away from traditional party frameworks.
Can My Vote Make a Difference?
Jihan, a political coordinator at a Moroccan youth center, notes that the current elections feel different in part because a larger number of young people are discussing the importance of participation and voting. However, this newfound interest does not equate to a restoration of trust. She highlights that discussions among youth still revolve around a fundamental question: "Does my vote make a difference?" Jihan describes the sentiment as a "cautious optimism," indicating that some young people are willing to give the political process another chance but are clearly apprehensive about the potential for further disappointment. The prevailing sentiment among this group can be summarized as: "We will grant you our trust once more, but will you let us down again?"
One year ago, the scenario was drastically different. Generation Z 212 mobilized online before transitioning their protests to the streets, demanding improvements in healthcare and education and a more dignified life. The spark of their anger was ignited by demonstrations concerning the conditions of a public hospital in Agadir, which then expanded to address government spending and state priorities, including criticism directed at expenditures associated with Morocco hosting major sporting events.
According to Reuters, protests spread across several Moroccan cities and were organized through platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Discord before facing significant security interventions and widespread arrests.
We No Longer Trust the Parties
However, some participants in the movement do not view the upcoming elections as a natural extension of their protests. Hassan, a journalist and activist who took part in Generation Z 212 and the Discord network, believes that a segment of the youth has lost faith in political parties and the state’s ability to represent their aspirations. He sees the recent wave of mass migration towards Ceuta as an expression of broader frustration among Moroccans, not merely a phenomenon tied to the protesting youth. He articulates that the message sent by these individuals is that they no longer wish to be part of a system they perceive as unresponsive to their demands.
This commentary comes at a time when the issue of migrant flows to Ceuta remains a contentious topic between Morocco and Spain, especially after Spanish authorities launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the mass arrivals, while Rabat has denied any involvement in facilitating them.
Young people's skepticism extends beyond government performance to the nature of political competition itself. The National Rally of Independents (RNI), which currently leads the government, maintains a prominent position in the political landscape, while the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) stands as one of its main competitors. However, tensions between parties, along with mutual accusations of poaching politicians and engaging in unfair competition, do little to reassure the youth electorate.
The debate intensified after Fouzi Lekjaa, the head of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation and the minister in charge of the budget, joined the PAM shortly before the elections. His transition has led to speculation about his potential to play a larger political role in the future, with some analysts discussing the possibility of forming a government linked to preparations for Morocco hosting the 2030 World Cup. Hassan describes this move as a politically potent maneuver from what he refers to as the "deep state," suggesting that the Morocco 2030 institution, which oversees preparations for the World Cup and the Africa Cup, could become a significant player in the upcoming phase. This analysis remains political and speculative, and it does not necessarily indicate that the formation of a government or the appointment of a new prime minister has been definitively settled.
The government has attempted to respond to some of the youth's demands through an initiative aimed at encouraging their participation in political life by providing financial support for electoral campaigns and covering a significant portion of their costs. Nonetheless, this initiative faces criticism due to its participation conditions. According to the original article, candidates under the age of 35 must collect at least 200 authenticated signatures from voters, with a requirement for a specific percentage of signatures from women and geographic distribution. Furthermore, young candidates do not receive public funding prior to the elections; rather, access to such funding is contingent upon achieving a certain percentage of votes.
Critics argue that these conditions render the initiative less capable of achieving its stated goal, particularly in light of the weak representation of youth within political parties and institutions. Jihan asserts that the success of any reform should not be measured merely by the existence of an initiative bearing the youth’s name, but rather by its ability to provide them with a genuine opportunity to influence policies and shape political programs.
The Moroccan voter also faces a complicated political landscape, characterized by the presence of numerous parties, lists, and programs. Mohamed, a member of the youth branch of a socialist party in the Béni Mellal-Khénifra region, notes that most parties have attempted to incorporate the demands of Generation Z into their electoral rhetoric. However, he emphasizes the gap that exists between slogans and actual policies. He believes that some leftist parties, particularly the Party of Progress and Socialism and the Unified Socialist Party, have been more inclined to adopt the demands of the youth movement during and after the protests.
Conversely, Jihan observes that the Independence Party has demonstrated a greater understanding of a range of demands raised by young people. However, she simultaneously warns against reducing an entire generation to a single party, as "Generation Z" is not a homogeneous political bloc and does not hold a unified stance on all issues.
One of the most significant challenges facing elections, according to the youth who spoke to "Asharq Al-Awsat," is the gap between the language used by political parties and the way the new generation consumes information. While parties rely on traditional political and institutional language, many young people obtain their information from social media platforms, where messages are shorter, more direct, and interactive.
Jihan believes that political parties still struggle to explain their political identities, programs, and stances on fundamental issues in a manner that resonates with young people. Meanwhile, Mohamed observes that current electoral campaigns are dominated by general rhetoric and slogans, lacking clear mechanisms to engage youth in political discourse.
Ironically, protests have not vanished from the political consciousness of young people, even after they have left the streets. Some view the elections as an opportunity to test the possibility of change from within institutions, while others maintain that past experiences have demonstrated the limited capacity of political parties to respond to their demands. Thus, young people find themselves faced with two contradictory choices: to participate in a political process they do not fully trust, or to disengage and allow traditional parties to dictate the future course.
Perhaps this is why the real question in Morocco is not only who will win the elections on September 23, but whether a generation that took to the streets demanding health, education, and dignity will decide this time to use the ballot box instead of the street. If a significant portion of this generation chooses to vote, the elections could become a real test of the political institutions' ability to regain trust. Conversely, if apathy and disengagement prevail, the message may be clearer: that protests have ended in the streets, but they have not concluded in the minds of the youth.
As reported by watanserb.com.
