Moroccan voters are set to go to the polls on Wednesday, with candidates from 27 political parties vying for seats in the House of Representatives. The election campaign has been characterised by efforts to appeal to a disillusioned youth demographic through viral football slogans, promises of extensive job creation, and anti-Israel rallying calls.
Despite these overtures, many young Moroccans express a profound sense of disconnection from the political process. Siham Azeroual, 32, an environmental activist residing in the Atlas region, conveyed her lack of optimism to the BBC, stating, "I have no hope for this election. I'm ashamed of our political scene. It's a complete circus."
The outcome of the vote will determine the composition of the next government, following a period marked by significant social and economic pressures. Weeks prior to the election, approximately 60,000 individuals risked their lives to cross from Morocco to the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, an event widely seen as indicative of the limited opportunities perceived by many young people domestically.
Morocco operates as a constitutional monarchy, where political parties compete for 395 seats in the legislative chamber. However, executive authority remains closely linked to the crown. King Mohammed VI, 63, is responsible for appointing the prime minister from the party that secures the most votes. He also presides over the Council of Ministers, the nation's primary policy-making body.
The current election campaign follows a series of Gen Z protests in September 2025, sparked by concerns over unemployment, healthcare provision, and the rising cost of living. Demonstrators chanted slogans such as "freedom, dignity, and social justice," which escalated to specific calls for the removal of current Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch. More than 2,400 individuals faced prosecution in the aftermath of these protests. Despite this crackdown, some young activists are now entering the political arena.
Hamza El Kharroubi, 29, who was briefly arrested during the protests, is now contesting a parliamentary seat with the relatively nascent Environment and Sustainable Development Party, which advocates for a green agenda. El Kharroubi, hailing from Tetouan, located 34km (21 miles) from Fnideq beach where the July migration wave to Ceuta originated, told the BBC, "As a young person, I don't have much hope. I joined this party because they wanted more Gen Z faces and they are allowing us to speak freely about our demands."
The Ceuta migration surge saw approximately 60,000 individuals, including both Moroccans and other nationalities, attempt the crossing in late July, resulting in the deaths of at least 100 people in what was described as the largest migration wave to the enclave in recent history. El Kharroubi emphasised the link between the migration and economic hardship, particularly unemployment, stating, "We want justice for the families of those who died crossing to Ceuta. We want compensation for their families."
Official figures underscore the challenge, with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimating overall unemployment at 13% last year, and youth unemployment, for those aged between 15 and 24, reaching 37.3%. El Kharroubi has indicated that his immediate objective is not to challenge established political figures but to establish a youth presence in parliament, with an eye towards building stronger representation by 2031.
"As young people, we have to enter the parliament so by 2031 we have strong young politicians who can compete for a seat in the government," he said.
A new political figure gaining significant traction is Fouzi Lekjaa, president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation and a senior official within the finance ministry. Lekjaa, credited with elevating the national men's football team, the Atlas Lions, to global contender status, joined the centrist Party of Authenticity and Modernity (Pam) in July. Morocco is jointly hosting the next World Cup with Spain and Portugal.
Videos of Lekjaa's campaign rallies have garnered significant attention in the football-obsessed nation, with crowds chanting "Sir," meaning "Go" in Moroccan Arabic. This phrase became iconic during Morocco's historic 2022 World Cup run, where the team became the first Arab and African side to reach the semi-finals. Lekjaa has pledged to position Morocco sixth globally in education and healthcare, mirroring the national football team's FIFA ranking.
Pam is among the 27 parties competing, which also includes Prime Minister Akhannouch's National Rally of Independents (RNI). In its campaign for a second term, the RNI has reiterated its commitment to creating one million job opportunities by 2031.
However, political expert Rachid Aourraz, from the Moroccan Institute for Policy Analysis (MIPA), expressed scepticism regarding the feasibility of this promise. "The slogan 'one million jobs' has become an overused electoral slogan," Aourraz told the BBC. "There is also talk of raising the minimum wage, but what is proposed cannot withstand a structural inability to create stable net jobs." Aourraz further noted that major parties "do not compete over an alternative model," but rather focus on implementing public policies determined by a royal vision.
Also seeking to regain political influence is the Islamist Justice and Development Party (PJD), which is employing anti-Israeli sentiments to attract voters. Morocco normalised diplomatic ties with Israel in December 2020 as part of the US-brokered Abraham Accords.
Led by former Prime Minister Abdelilah Benkirane, the PJD is campaigning vigorously on a platform to terminate diplomatic relations with Israel. Benkirane has publicly characterised the normalisation as a "mistake" made by his party, which led the government between 2016 and 2021.
Bilateral relations were impacted during the recent conflict in Gaza, with weekly pro-Palestinian protests occurring in the capital, Rabat, against the Israeli diplomatic presence. During the conflict, the Israeli liaison office was closed, and direct flights between the two countries were suspended. Despite extensive pro-Palestinian demonstrations, with thousands taking to the streets and the Israeli flag being set alight during the height of the conflict, it was announced earlier this month that Israel and Morocco had agreed to open full embassies in their respective countries, following a meeting between their top diplomats and the US ambassador to the United Nations.
Speaking at a campaign rally in Marrakesh, Benkirane urged supporters to "speak up." He added, "If we work hard, the king will close the Israeli embassy. The king does not like going against his own people," while cautioning against "the dangers of Israel and Zionism in Morocco."
More than half of Morocco's total population of approximately 38.8 million is under the age of 35. However, only 4% of the over 15.8 million registered voters are aged between 18 and 24.
Hiba, 27, a Moroccan living in Canada who preferred not to disclose her full name, noted her limited engagement with the campaigns, observing "the same faces as usual." Hiba resides in Montreal, home to a significant Moroccan diaspora of around 104,000 people, according to the 2016 census. Many of last year's Gen Z protests found more vocal expression outside Morocco, where young Moroccans felt able to articulate their grievances without fear of reprisal.
Hiba, who co-organised several Gen Z protests in Montreal, stated she would have considered voting had she been able to secure a proxy in Morocco, which is the established method for diaspora voting. "Gen Z protests didn't go in vain. We achieved something. At least now we see more debates with young people on state TV," she said.
Siham Azeroual, the environmental activist, echoed this sentiment. Having witnessed both the 20 February movement in 2011, which led to constitutional changes, and the more recent Gen Z movement, she believes that change necessitates a multi-faceted approach. "I think young people should focus on the microscale – rather than running for office, helping build communities and connecting with people and then building up to the top," she suggested.
Despite her reservations about the current political campaigns, Azeroual confirmed her intention to cast her ballot at her local polling station.
