The recent Moroccan elections brought to light a significant trend of voter apathy, particularly among the youth, which has emerged as a critical issue in the wake of a recent immigration crisis in Ceuta. This crisis saw tens of thousands of migrants, primarily from Morocco, breaching the borders into the Spanish enclave, which has heightened the awareness of the challenges facing young people in the country. A considerable segment of the youth expresses feelings of hopelessness regarding their future, exacerbated by conspicuous social disparities, even as Morocco experiences ongoing economic growth characterized by substantial infrastructure projects in preparation for the 2030 World Cup, which Morocco will co-host with Spain and Portugal.
In this political landscape, King Mohammed VI is expected to appoint the head of government for the next five years. Among the strong contenders for this position is Fouad El Himma, the current Minister of Budget, who is also widely recognized for his role as the president of the Moroccan Football Federation. Another prominent figure is Fatima Zahra Mansouri, the Minister of National Land Planning and the Mayor of Marrakech, who might become Morocco's first female Prime Minister. Mansouri expressed to reporters that receiving such an appointment from the king would be a "great honor."
The Political Landscape and Election Results
The political party, the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), to which both El Himma and Mansouri belong, emerged as the frontrunner in the elections, securing 97 out of 395 seats in the House of Representatives, according to preliminary results. Despite this leading position, political analyst Mohamed Touzi noted that PAM "did not achieve a sweeping victory," highlighting the significant resources the party invested in the electoral process. Given its lack of an absolute majority, PAM will need to forge a new coalition, and Mansouri has confirmed that her party is open to discussions with any party regarding shared governance.
During its campaign, PAM pledged to achieve an average annual growth rate of 5%—notably higher than the anticipated 4.4% for 2026—and to create at least one million jobs during its term. Founded in 2008 by the king's advisor Fouad Ali El Himma to counter Islamist movements, PAM has faced accusations from opponents of attempting to dominate the political arena, particularly after the popular uprisings that swept several Arab nations a decade ago. The National Rally of Independents (RNI), the party of the outgoing Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, finished in second place with 66 representatives, losing about thirty seats compared to the last legislative elections in 2021. The Istiqlal Party came in third, closely trailing behind and also a member of the outgoing government coalition.
Islamist Party's Resurgence and Voter Sentiment
A significant feature of these elections was the remarkable resurgence of the opposition Islamist Justice and Development Party (PJD), which focused its campaign on anti-corruption efforts. The party quadrupled its representation in parliament, winning 54 seats compared to only 13 in the previous assembly. The party's leader and former Prime Minister Abdelilah Benkirane hailed the result as a "victory," while simultaneously ruling out the possibility of joining a government coalition led by PAM, which he labeled as "tainted by electoral fraud." Political analyst Mohamed Touzi interpreted the PJD's comeback as a form of "punitive voting" against the outgoing coalition, noting that the Islamists adopted a discourse advocating for "the moralization of political life," especially regarding issues of conflict of interest that had been leveled against the previous Prime Minister.
Furthermore, the PJD emphasized concerns over purchasing power, youth employment, and the enhancement of public services—factors that contributed to the unrest in Ceuta and the emergence of the "Generation Z 212" movement in the fall of 2025. This movement, which gained traction on social media, spotlighted the deficiencies within Morocco's health and education systems, although it later lost momentum. As the kingdom continues to develop significant infrastructure, ranging from stadiums to high-speed trains, stark social and regional disparities remain prevalent, alongside a high unemployment rate among the youth. King Mohammed VI has repeatedly criticized a developmental trajectory that seems to progress at "two speeds."
As reported by france24.com.
