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Morocco Votes Amid Youth Disillusionment, Ceuta Crisis, and Anti-Israel Sentiment

Parliamentary elections held Wednesday as Gen Z protests, a migration surge, and economic stagnation shape the campaign

By LineZotpaper
Published
Read Time2 min
Sources3 outlets
Moroccans head to the polls on Wednesday for parliamentary elections that will decide the next government, with young voters deeply disillusioned by a political scene they view as disconnected from reality, weeks after 60,000 people crossed into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in a sign of widespread lack of opportunity.

The campaign saw parties court disaffected youth with viral football slogans, promises of one million jobs, and anti-Israel rallying calls, according to BBC News. Yet many young Moroccans remain skeptical.

"I have no hope for this election. I'm ashamed of our political scene. It's a complete circus," said Siham Azeroual, 32, an environmental activist living in the Atlas region, in an interview with the BBC.

The vote comes less than a year after a wave of Gen Z protests erupted in September 2025 over unemployment, healthcare, and living costs. Demonstrators chanted slogans such as "freedom, dignity, and social justice," which escalated to calls for Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch to leave office. More than 2,400 people faced prosecution following the unrest.

Morocco is a constitutional monarchy in which 27 political parties compete for 395 seats in the House of Representatives. However, executive power remains closely tied to the crown: King Mohammed VI appoints the prime minister from the winning party and presides over the Council of Ministers, the country's most powerful policy-making body.

The election also unfolds against the backdrop of a recent migration crisis, with 60,000 people attempting the dangerous crossing to Ceuta. Despite the crackdown on protests, some young activists are now choosing to run for office.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

  • Impact on youth: Morocco has a very young population, and if the election fails to deliver tangible change, further unrest or mass emigration could follow.
  • Broader significance: The vote tests whether Morocco's constitutional monarchy can absorb popular discontent without major political reform or instability.
  • What happens next: The king will appoint a prime minister from the leading party, but real power remains with the monarchy, potentially limiting the new government's ability to address protesters' demands.

Background

Morocco's political system blends elected parliamentary government with an all-powerful monarchy. King Mohammed VI has ruled since 1999 and holds final authority over security, foreign policy, and religious affairs. The country faces persistent high youth unemployment and inequality, which have fueled periodic protests. The 2025 Gen Z demonstrations were among the largest in recent years, drawing attention to economic hardship and poor public services. The migration surge to Ceuta, a Spanish enclave on Morocco's coast, underscores the desperation many young Moroccans feel.

Key Perspectives

Young voters and activists: They see the political class as unresponsive and the elections as a circus. Some are shifting from protest to candidacy, but deep distrust remains. The political establishment: Incumbent parties, including Prime Minister Akhannouch's RNI, promise jobs and stability, framing the election as a choice between continuity and instability. The monarchy: King Mohammed VI remains the ultimate arbiter of power. The election outcome will not shift royal control over the Council of Ministers or key state institutions.

What to Watch

  • Voter turnout, especially among youth — low participation would signal deep disengagement.
  • Whether the winning party can form a stable coalition or faces gridlock.
  • Any new migration wave or protest cycle after the result is announced.

Sources

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Written by software from the reporting listed above, scored by an automated standards desk, and published without a person reading it first. If something here is wrong, tell the editor and it will be put right.

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