OMM Redaksiyası
Morocco is holding parliamentary elections on Sept. 23. The vote will determine the composition of the 395-seat House of Representatives and pave the way for the formation of the country’s next government.
More than 15.8 million voters are registered. Twenty-eight political parties, including a coalition formed specifically to contest the election, and two lists of independent candidates are competing for seats in parliament.
The role of elections in a constitutional monarchy
Morocco is a constitutional monarchy, and King Mohammed VI plays an important role in setting the main direction of state policy. Although parliament and the government have broad powers, the monarchy retains a strong position in the country’s political system.
This is the fourth parliamentary election since constitutional reforms adopted after the 2011 Arab Spring protests. The changes strengthened the role of parliament and the head of government while preserving the king’s central position.
Under the constitution, the king appoints the head of government from the party that wins the most seats in the House of Representatives. The appointee then negotiates with other parties to form a governing coalition.
Unemployment and the 2030 World Cup
Unemployment, particularly among young people, is one of voters’ main concerns. According to Morocco’s High Commission for Planning, the country’s overall unemployment rate stood at 13% in 2025. The figure reached 37.2% among people aged 15 to 24.
The International Monetary Fund has identified skills mismatches in Morocco’s labor market, limited private-sector dynamism and gender inequality as major challenges. For young voters, promises on jobs, wages and the cost of living are directly linked to everyday economic pressures.
Preparations for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which Morocco will co-host with Spain and Portugal, are also among the main election issues. The government plans to invest billions of dollars in infrastructure, including transport and stadium projects.
Ruling parties are highlighting around $20 billion in infrastructure investment as part of the country’s development plans and preparations for the tournament. One of the projects is the 115,000-seat Hassan II Stadium being built near Casablanca. Construction is expected to cost about $1 billion.
The scale of the investments has also intensified debate over spending priorities. Some young people question the extent to which major infrastructure projects will improve healthcare, education and employment.
What are the parties promising?
The National Rally of Independents, the Authenticity and Modernity Party and the Istiqlal Party, which have been part of the coalition government since 2021, have focused their campaigns on creating jobs and increasing people’s purchasing power.
The National Rally of Independents has promised to create 1 million jobs during the next parliamentary term. The Authenticity and Modernity Party has made a similar employment commitment. The Istiqlal Party is focusing on purchasing power, healthcare, housing and employment.
The opposition Justice and Development Party is seeking to restore its position in parliament after suffering major losses in the 2021 election.
According to an Afrobarometer poll published in March, only 37% of Moroccans aged 18 to 35 expressed at least some trust in parliament. The share expressing trust in the head of government, ruling parties and opposition parties was 33%.
Recent protests by young people have highlighted dissatisfaction over employment, healthcare, education and the cost of living. However, this does not necessarily mean that young people have completely disengaged from politics. The key question is whether they believe elections and political parties can address these problems.
Once the results are confirmed, King Mohammed VI will appoint a representative of the party that wins the most seats as head of government. The new government will have to oversee a large-scale infrastructure program linked to preparations for the 2030 World Cup, while also creating jobs, improving public services and maintaining economic growth.
