Moroccans Vote for Parliament Amid Youth Frustration and Migration Tensions

CASABLANCA, Morocco (AP) — Moroccan voters are electing a new parliament Wednesday in a contest shaped by deepening frustration among young people, persistent unemployment despite economic growth, and demands for improved schools, hospitals and housing.

Voting centers across the North African kingdom are open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time, giving nearly 16 million registered voters the chance to choose members of the 395-seat House of Representatives.

The election will help determine the next prime minister and the composition of the government, which will operate alongside a powerful monarchy that retains wide authority over strategic matters. Results are expected Thursday.

The incoming government will manage billions of dollars in investment as Morocco prepares to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup, leading some observers to call it the “World Cup government.” Its leaders will also face pressure to respond to daily concerns such as jobs, wages and the rising cost of living.

For many young Moroccans, the vote comes amid growing skepticism that political participation can meaningfully improve their lives. Some have joined street protests, while others have considered emigrating or staying away from the polls.

Under Morocco’s Constitution, the king must appoint the head of government from the party that wins the most seats in legislative elections. Because no single party is expected to secure an absolute majority, the leading party will need to negotiate with others to form 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 Democratic Path party, have called for a boycott, saying the election “lacks the minimum conditions of democracy.” Al-Adl Wal Ihsane, a banned but tolerated Islamist association, has made similar criticisms.

The Constitution recognizes the voting rights of Moroccans living abroad, but there is no postal voting or consular ballot system. Overseas voters must either travel to Morocco to cast their ballots or authorize a registered family member or acquaintance to vote 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.

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