Morocco's Political Scene Ahead of the Legislative Elections
On September 23, twenty-seven political parties will contend for the 395 seats in Morocco's Parliament, marking a significant event in the nation’s political timeline. The last elections held in 2021 resulted in a coalition led by the National Rally of Independents (RNI), the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), and the royalist Istiqlal Party, which elevated Aziz Akhannouch to the position of Prime Minister. However, five years later, the social and economic contexts have considerably weakened political parties, prompting them to strive for renewed trust among Moroccans by addressing pressing concerns.
A severe migration crisis near the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in northern Morocco, where over 70,000 individuals attempted to cross the border both by land and sea in July, has significantly influenced the brief campaign leading up to the legislative elections. Sociologist Mehdi Alioua from the International University of Rabat noted that there is a distinct lack of debate surrounding migration issues and the events in Ceuta. He observed a reaffirmation among certain traditional parties regarding their ties to Ceuta and Melilla, yet he criticized the electoral promises as being underdeveloped and lacking concrete figures.
Political Discontent and Youth Participation
Despite Moroccan political parties attempting to campaign on detailed programs, Alioua expressed concern about their lack of identity, stating that most Moroccans are not familiar with the parties' platforms. This disconnect is exacerbated by sharp criticism regarding the handling of significant crises, such as the September 2023 earthquake in central and western Morocco. Three years later, over 3,000 affected families reportedly have not received state aid, according to data from the National Coordination of Al-Haouz Earthquake Victims. Alioua remarked that those affected are rejecting the government and all authorities, which other parties are exploiting to discredit the coalition.
Social issues are indeed at the forefront of this campaign, but there is a prevailing sense of distrust among Moroccans towards the current political class. This sentiment stems from the lack of a counterbalance from Moroccan civil society, which has failed to hold the government accountable to the ambitions of the people. Political scientist Meryem Belhoussine pointed out that while parties may share similar observations in their platforms, their electoral speeches often lack a clear connection between announcements and implementation mechanisms. As the elections approach, the youth electorate's participation remains a crucial aspect to analyze. Alioua expects low turnout, particularly due to the prevailing mass unemployment affecting the youth, which is exacerbated by the fact that only 3% of the 18-24 age group, which comprises 12% of the population, are registered to vote. Even with Morocco experiencing a growth rate of nearly 5% in 2025, the unemployment rate for 15-24-year-olds hovers around 30% in the second quarter of 2026. This discouragement among young Moroccans is further fueled by the socio-economic disparities, leading to calls for urgent measures rather than long-term plans.
The emergence of the Gen Z movement in September 2025, primarily driven by social media, exemplifies the youth's demands for dignified access to healthcare, reform in the educational system, and job creation. However, this movement has not been directly addressed in the electoral campaign, although some parties have attempted to include young activists in their candidate lists. Belhoussine emphasized that the Gen Z movement should challenge political parties to re-engage in dialogue and provide a participatory space for the youth.
Overall, there seems to be a pressing need for a renewal in political practices. According to Alioua, the current atmosphere reflects unprecedented distrust, with concerns that this could lead to record abstention rates during the elections. In the last legislative elections, 50.18% of registered voters participated, a slight increase from 2016. While predicting voter mobilization remains challenging, Moroccans are eager for a political renewal, which is often discussed in terms of increasing female representation and introducing new profiles into the political arena. However, the more profound issue lies in the need to renew partisan practices, as the gap between electoral rhetoric and actual political engagement continues to widen.
As the 27 parties vie for the electorate’s trust, the electoral regulations have evolved, including reserved regional constituencies for women and financial incentives to attract youth candidates. Whether these new measures will yield positive outcomes remains to be seen, with the first indications expected on September 23.
As reported by rfi.fr.
