Morocco votes for new parliament amid youth unrest
Moroccan voters headed to the polls on Wednesday to elect a new parliament, in a vote shaped by growing frustration among young people, high unemployment despite a strong economy, and demands for better schools, hospitals and housing.
Voting centres across the North African kingdom opened from 8 am to 7 pm local time, with nearly 16 million registered voters choosing representatives for the 395-seat House of Representatives. The outcome will determine the next prime minister and government, which will govern alongside a monarchy that retains broad authority over strategic affairs. Results are expected Thursday.
The incoming government will oversee billions of dollars in investment as Morocco prepares to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup, leading some to dub it the "World Cup government." It will also face pressure to address everyday concerns such as jobs, wages and the cost of living.
For many young Moroccans, the election arrives amid growing doubt that political participation can meaningfully improve their lives, with some turning to street protests, others considering emigration, and many simply staying away from the ballot box.
Under Morocco's Constitution, the king must appoint the head of government from the party that wins the most seats. Since no single party is expected to secure an outright majority, the winner will need to negotiate a coalition. Voters are choosing among 7,288 candidates from 27 political parties in the first election since deadly youth-led protests nearly a year ago and a mass attempt by migrants to cross into the Spanish territory of Ceuta via Morocco's northern border.
Some parties, including the far-left Democratic Path, have called for a boycott, arguing the election "lacks the minimum conditions of democracy." The banned but tolerated Islamist association Al-Adl Wal Ihsane made similar claims.
While the constitution recognises voting rights for Moroccans living abroad, there is no postal voting or ballot access at Moroccan consulates; expatriates must either travel to Morocco to vote or authorise a registered family member or acquaintance to vote on their behalf. The number of registered voters has fallen by 9.7 per cent since the 2021 election even as Morocco's population has grown, and analysts expect turnout to be low.
