Morocco Holds Parliamentary Elections Amid Youth Unrest

Morocco held parliamentary elections on September 23, 2026, to fill 395 seats in the House of Representatives. The vote determines the next prime minister and the government that will manage a $20-billion infrastructure push for the 2030 FIFA World Cup. Approximately 15.8 million registered voters participated, though registration has declined by 12% since 2021.

King Mohammed VI retains primary authority over defense, foreign affairs, and policy direction, but he directed political parties to prioritize citizen service and nominate more women and young candidates to restore credibility. The elections follow a year of social unrest, including Gen Z-led protests and a deadly mass migration attempt in July where at least 141 people died trying to enter the Spanish territory of Ceuta. These events were driven by economic hardship and a youth unemployment rate that reached 37% in 2025.

Centrist parties, including the National Rally of Independents and the Authenticity and Modernity Party, entered as front-runners, both pledging to create one million jobs. However, the process faced opposition from far-left and Islamist groups. The Democratic Path and Al Adl Wa Al Ihsane called for a boycott, arguing the elections lack democratic fairness. Potential candidates for prime minister include Budget Minister Fouzi Lekjaa and Marrakech Mayor Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri.