In the vibrant city of Salé, Morocco, local activist Haitham Arkashou is fervently encouraging young citizens to actively participate in the upcoming elections scheduled for Wednesday, driven by the hope that these elections can yield viable solutions to the pressing issues of unemployment and rising costs of living. Despite his enthusiasm, the response from the youth demographic has been underwhelming, with many expressing disappointment and skepticism towards the political landscape. Arkashou, at 28 years old, has already identified the political party he intends to support and is advocating for his peers to head to the polls to select the party that aligns with their analysis and aspirations.
On the bustling streets of Salé, not far from where Arkashou is rallying support, other young individuals were gathered for a campaign event supporting a rival candidate vying for one of the four parliamentary seats representing the city. Since the election campaign kicked off on September 10, over 7,000 candidates have been striving to secure votes from approximately 16 million eligible voters, who will collectively elect 395 members of the House of Representatives. The new assembly formed as a result of this electoral process is expected to establish a government with a five-year mandate.
However, the participation rate among young voters remains alarmingly low, with only about 15% of those aged 25 to 34 registered to vote, and a mere 4% among the younger 18 to 24 age group. In Tangier, a 34-year-old mother named Zoubida, who chose not to disclose her full name, articulated her decision not to vote, stating, "I do not expect anything," and expressing her disbelief in the promises made by competing parties. She emphasized that the future government should prioritize employment and housing, reflecting the urgent needs of many young Moroccans.
This demographic, historically at the forefront of social movements in Morocco, now finds itself at odds with political parties that seem incapable of mobilizing public support. There has been a noticeable increase in the presence of technocrats and business leaders in the political arena, overshadowing traditional politicians. Political science professor Mohammed Chaqir notes that the upcoming elections hinge on two significant challenges: restoring young voters' trust in the political process and cultivating a new, honest political elite. He observes that the three leading parties are trying to resonate with young voters' demands by promising the creation of a million jobs, while also addressing the critical issue of purchasing power in their campaign platforms.
Haitham Arkashou is hopeful that the next government will elevate social standards and raise the minimum wage to match the escalating prices of essential goods. He articulates his call to action as a quest for change, spurred by the numerous challenges that have emerged in recent years, including the tragic deaths of pregnant women in an Agadir hospital last summer, which incited protests from the Generation Z movement.
This movement, initiated by anonymous online activists, took many Moroccans by surprise as it called for near-daily demonstrations over two weeks, demanding reforms in the healthcare and education sectors, an end to corruption, and the guarantee of freedom of expression. These protests were marred by violence and clashes in various cities, resulting in three fatalities before their momentum waned. This crisis has once again highlighted the persistent issues of social inequality and developmental gaps between regions, which have been critical concerns in Morocco for nearly a decade.
Despite an economic growth rate of approximately 5% last year and the implementation of significant development projects in anticipation of the 2030 World Cup, which Morocco will co-host with Spain and Portugal, the improvement has not translated into a substantial decrease in the unemployment rate, which currently stands at 13%, according to the central bank governor, Abdellatif Jouahri.
As the political landscape evolves, the issue of migration has also surfaced, with tens of thousands of migrants flooding into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, exacerbating tensions between Rabat and Madrid and resulting in numerous casualties. Many of these migrants are young individuals, including minors, seeking job opportunities in Europe to improve their circumstances. When asked about this crisis, Zoubida indicated that she would not hesitate to attempt crossing into Spain if given the chance.
Thus far, this pressing issue has not occupied significant space in the electoral discourse, although former Prime Minister Abdelilah Benkirane has labeled it a "black day" and a "major scandal" during his party's campaign. For 20-year-old Haitham Aitafi, also from Salé, the primary expectation from the upcoming government is the provision of job opportunities. He shared his struggles in securing internships following his recent technical degree in electrical engineering, noting that most of his peers are still unemployed. Despite his pressing concerns, Aitafi has chosen not to vote, dismissing election promises as mere rhetoric, and expressing doubt that any party could genuinely create job opportunities for the youth.
Observers anticipate a competitive race among the current majority parties—Rassemblement National des Indépendants, Authenticity and Modernity, and Istiqlal—although the electoral law prohibits opinion polls from being conducted.
As reported by mc-doualiya.com.
