Morocco Votes for New Parliament Amid Youth Discontent and Migration Pressure
Moroccans head to the polls to elect a new parliament, with youth frustration, unemployment and migration pressures shaping the vote.
Moroccan voters are casting ballots on Wednesday to elect a new parliament, in a vote shaped by growing frustration among young people, persistent unemployment despite a thriving economy, and demands for better schools, hospitals and housing.
Polling centres across the North African kingdom are open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time, with nearly 16 million registered voters eligible to choose the 395-seat House of Representatives. The outcome will determine the next prime minister and the composition of the government, which will serve alongside a powerful monarchy that retains broad authority over strategic affairs. Results are expected on Thursday.
The incoming administration will oversee billions of dollars in investment as Morocco prepares to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup, leading some to call 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 comes as doubts grow that political participation can improve their daily lives. Some have turned to street protests, while others have considered leaving the country or staying away from the ballot box.
Under the Moroccan Constitution, the king appoints the head of government from the party that wins the most seats. With no single party expected to secure an absolute majority, the winner will need to negotiate a governing coalition.
Voters are choosing among 7,288 candidates from 27 political parties. This is the first election since deadly youth-led protests nearly a year ago and a mass attempt by migrants to cross Morocco's northern border into the Spanish territory of Ceuta.
Some groups, including the far-left party The Democratic Path, have called for a boycott, saying the election "lacks the minimum conditions of democracy." The banned but tolerated Islamist association Al-Adl Wal Ihsane has made similar claims.
The constitution grants voting rights to Moroccans living abroad, but there is no postal voting or balloting at consulates. Citizens overseas must either travel to Morocco to vote or authorise a registered family member or acquaintance to cast a ballot on their behalf.
The number of registered voters has fallen by 9.7% since the 2021 election, even as Morocco's population has grown, and analysts expect turnout to be low.