In a rural area of Morocco, the funeral of an elderly woman unexpectedly turned into a campaign event for political candidates eager to engage disenchanted young voters ahead of the parliamentary elections scheduled for Wednesday. The ongoing struggles faced by Moroccan youth in securing employment and opportunities have fueled protests driven by Generation Z over the past year, and this summer witnessed a notable spike in migration attempts towards Ceuta, Spain. Candidates like Yassine Moujane believe that addressing the concerns of young people is critical as they head into this crucial electoral moment.
At 28 years old, Moujane, an attorney, expressed his dedication to advocating for the youth, stating, "I used to plead for my clients in courts, and now it's time to plead for Moroccans in parliament. Young people can engage in politics." He attended the funeral in Sidi Moussa El Majdoub, the hometown of another candidate from his party, to offer condolences, listen to grievances, and quietly solicit votes. While some mourners welcomed his promises and attentiveness, others remained skeptical of the political process.
Moujane is one of the youngest candidates participating in these elections, representing the Democratic and Social Movement, a party aligned with the current power structures. The upcoming elections present Moroccan voters with a choice among 7,288 candidates from 27 political parties vying for 395 seats in the House of Representatives, with the party securing the most seats likely to nominate the next prime minister. This election marks the first since the deadly protests led by youth nearly a year ago, as well as the recent surge in attempts to cross into Spanish territory.
Tragically, many young Moroccans were among those who lost their lives in these perilous crossings to reach Ceuta, including a factory worker seeking better employment to cover medical bills for his mother, a struggling football player, and a high school student hoping for a brighter future, as reported by their families and friends in interviews conducted by AP.
The next government will be under intense global scrutiny, managing billions of dollars in infrastructure and development projects as Morocco prepares to co-host the FIFA World Cup 2030. However, it will also face pressing domestic challenges, namely addressing inflation, unemployment, and convincing the youth that the country’s economic transformation can lead to better incomes and improved public services. Morocco has developed a robust automotive and aerospace industry, and its high-speed rail network is expanding. The Tanger Med port has emerged as a significant global container hub, and the World Bank projects a GDP growth of 4.2% for Morocco this year, though this growth has yet to translate into sufficient job opportunities.
Unfortunately, youth voter registration remains low, with official data indicating that while individuals aged 18 to 24 constitute about 12% of the national population, they represent merely 4% of the 15.8 million registered voters. Turning 18 does not automatically enroll citizens in the electoral rolls; they must actively register to vote. The frustration among young Moroccans interviewed by AP is less about political ideology and more about daily concerns such as finding employment, affording a decent living, and accessing functional schools, hospitals, and infrastructure. These grievances echo those expressed by migrants in Ceuta and the protesters of Generation Z.
Hassan Challaoui, a 32-year-old metalworker from the same village, voiced a simple yet profound request for a school bus for local children, noting that they must walk approximately 10 kilometers (6 miles) daily—through sun, rain, and cold—to reach school. He lamented the persistent presence of the same political figures over the years, stating, "The people haven't changed, but we want change." Despite the discontent, many young Moroccans express their anger towards politicians rather than the monarchy itself.
Morocco operates as a constitutional monarchy, with King Mohammed VI retaining significant powers, including crucial decisions regarding foreign policy, national security, and strategic affairs. The constitution allows the king to appoint the head of government from the party that secures the most parliamentary seats. "Political power remains highly centralized in the monarchy, and young people perceive that parties do not respond to their needs," observed Steven Höfner, head of the Rabat office of the German think tank Konrad Adenauer Stiftung. Consequently, many youths refrain from voting or participating in political parties, often citing a lack of political knowledge, disinterest, and poor communication from political elites.
Nevertheless, some young Moroccans recognize the importance of voting, hoping it can influence decisions on issues like minimum wage, public sector hiring, and family rights. When protests erupted last year across Morocco, the young demonstrators targeted their criticism at the government and political parties they held responsible for inadequate healthcare and poor education rather than at the monarchy itself. They urged the king to oversee reforms, viewing the monarchy as a stabilizing force—a notable distinction from the larger protests of the Arab Spring in the 2010s that sought to limit the king's powers and establish a more robust parliament.
For candidates like Moujane, securing a parliamentary seat is a formidable challenge. He volunteered to represent detained protesters during the Generation Z demonstrations, stating, "They had the same demands we plan to address in our party's platform: better schools, hospitals, housing, and a better environment. These are valid claims." Gaining his party's nomination was no easy feat; lacking a political background and being relatively unknown, Moujane had to make relentless phone calls to persuade skeptical party leaders. Now, he is attempting to carve out a place in a parliament where the average age of legislators is 53 years.
As reported by readingeagle.com.
