As Morocco prepared for its pivotal parliamentary elections on a recent Wednesday, the political landscape was marked by an intriguing blend of viral football slogans, ambitious pledges of job creation, and fervent anti-Israel rallying cries. Yet, beneath the surface of campaign fervor, a profound sense of disconnection permeated the nation’s youth, many of whom viewed the political process as increasingly irrelevant to their daily realities.
"I have no hope for this election. I’m ashamed of our political scene. It’s a complete circus," remarked Siham Azeroual, a 32-year-old environmental activist residing in the picturesque Atlas region, encapsulating the widespread disillusionment felt by many young Moroccans in an interview. This sentiment underscores a critical challenge for the 27 political parties vying for the 395 seats in the House of Representatives, Morocco’s legislative chamber. The election’s outcome was set to determine the composition of the next government, a decision coming just weeks after a harrowing event saw an estimated 60,000 individuals risk their lives attempting to cross from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta – a stark and tragic manifestation of the acute lack of opportunities perceived by many young people within their homeland.
The Moroccan Political System: A Constitutional Monarchy with Royal Prerogatives
To understand the dynamics of Moroccan elections, it is essential to grasp the country’s unique constitutional monarchy framework. While political parties compete for parliamentary seats, executive power remains intrinsically linked to the crown. King Mohammed VI, the reigning monarch, holds significant authority. He appoints the prime minister from the political party that secures the most votes in the election, but crucially, he also presides over the Council of Ministers, the country’s paramount policy-making body. This structure means that even a winning party’s agenda must align with the broader royal vision, leading some critics to suggest that political competition often revolves more around the implementation of pre-set policies rather than the articulation of fundamentally different national strategies.
The electoral campaign unfolded against a backdrop of recent social unrest. In September 2020, a wave of "Gen Z" protests erupted across the country, fueled by widespread frustration over soaring unemployment rates, inadequate healthcare services, and the escalating cost of living. Demonstrators chanted powerful slogans like "freedom, dignity, and social justice," which in some instances escalated to direct calls for the removal of then-Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, with chants of "get out Akhannouch." The government’s response to these demonstrations was firm, with more than 2,400 individuals reportedly facing prosecution following the unrest. Despite this crackdown, the protests seemingly ignited a new spark of political engagement among some young activists, compelling them to consider entering the formal political arena.
Youth on the Ballot: A New Wave of Activism
Among these emerging voices is Hamza El Kharroubi, a 29-year-old who experienced a brief arrest during the aforementioned protests. Undeterred, El Kharroubi chose to run for parliament under the banner of the relatively nascent Environment and Sustainable Development Party, advocating for a robust green agenda. "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," El Kharroubi shared, highlighting a pragmatic approach to political participation.
El Kharroubi hails from Tetouan, a city situated a mere 34 kilometers (21 miles) from Fnideq beach, the starting point for the dramatic migration wave to Ceuta in May 2021. This tragic event saw approximately 60,000 people, a mix of Moroccans and other nationalities, attempt the perilous crossing. At least 100 lives were lost, making it one of the largest and most tragic migration surges to the enclave in recent memory. El Kharroubi’s campaign prominently featured calls for justice for the families of those who perished, demanding compensation and acknowledging the profound economic hardship and chronic unemployment that he argued were the primary drivers behind such desperate attempts at migration.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) paints a stark picture of Morocco’s economic challenges, estimating overall unemployment at 13% in 2020, with youth unemployment (among those aged 15 to 24) reaching a staggering 37.3%. These figures underscore the immense pressure on the job market and the critical need for sustainable economic growth that can absorb the country’s burgeoning young population. El Kharroubi, cognizant of the established political hierarchy, articulated his immediate goal not as competing with political heavyweights, but rather as securing a platform in parliament to lay the groundwork for future generations. "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 stated, outlining a long-term vision for youth empowerment within the political system.
The "Atlas Lions" Effect: Football and Political Charisma
In a nation deeply passionate about football, a new political sensation emerged in the form of Fouzi Lekjaa. As the head of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation and a senior politician within the finance ministry, Lekjaa’s ascent to prominence was largely credited to his instrumental role in transforming the Atlas Lions, the national men’s football team, into global contenders. Morocco’s historic run to the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup, where they became the first Arab and African side to achieve such a feat, cemented Lekjaa’s status as a beloved national figure.
Capitalizing on this immense popularity, Lekjaa joined the centrist Party of Authenticity and Modernity (PAM) in July 2021, instantly injecting a surge of charisma into the party’s campaign. Videos of his rallies quickly went viral across the football-mad nation, especially given Morocco’s upcoming joint hosting of the next World Cup with Spain and Portugal. Crowds at his events enthusiastically chanted "Sir," a Moroccan Arabic phrase meaning "Go," which became the iconic catchphrase during the national team’s triumphant 2022 World Cup journey. Lekjaa’s campaign promises were equally ambitious, vowing to elevate Morocco’s education and healthcare systems to the sixth position globally, mirroring the FIFA ranking achieved by the men’s football team.
PAM was one of 27 parties vying for electoral success, including Prime Minister Akhannouch’s National Rally of Independents (RNI). In its bid for a second term, the RNI renewed its pledge to create one million job opportunities by 2031, a promise that has become a recurring theme in Moroccan electoral cycles. However, political expert Rachid Aourraz, from the Moroccan Institute for Policy Analysis (MIPA), expressed skepticism regarding the feasibility of such pledges. "The slogan ‘one million jobs’ has become an overused electoral slogan. There is also talk of raising the minimum wage, but what is proposed cannot withstand a structural inability to create stable net jobs," Aourraz commented, highlighting a deeper systemic issue within the Moroccan economy. He further elaborated that major parties often "do not compete over an alternative model," but rather over the implementation of public policies that are largely dictated by a royal vision, reinforcing the perception of limited political differentiation.
Foreign Policy in the Electoral Spotlight: The Israel Normalization Debate
Adding another layer of complexity to the election was the attempted political comeback of the Islamist Justice and Development Party (PJD), which strategically leveraged anti-Israeli sentiments to court voters. Morocco had normalized ties with Israel in December 2020, alongside several other Arab nations, under the controversial US-brokered Abraham Accords.
Led by populist former Prime Minister Abdelilah Benkirane, the PJD’s campaign heavily centered on a promise to sever diplomatic relations with Israel. Benkirane openly declared the normalization agreement a "mistake" made by his own party, which had led the government between 2016 and 2021. Bilateral relations between Morocco and Israel experienced significant strain during the Gaza conflict in May 2021, with weekly protests erupting in the capital, Rabat, against the Israeli diplomatic presence. During the conflict, the Israeli liaison office was temporarily closed, and direct flights between the two countries were suspended.
Despite an outpouring of pro-Palestinian sentiment, characterized by tens of thousands taking to the streets and symbolically setting ablaze the Israeli flag at the height of the conflict, a surprising announcement came just weeks before the election. Israel and Morocco had agreed to elevate their diplomatic missions to full embassies in each other’s countries, following a meeting between their top diplomats and the US ambassador to the United Nations. This development underscored the King’s prerogative in foreign policy and potentially complicated the PJD’s electoral strategy.
"We have to speak up," Benkirane urged his supporters at a campaign rally in Marrakesh, expressing confidence that if the people’s will was strongly articulated, "the king will close the Israeli embassy. The king does not like going against his own people," he asserted, while simultaneously warning of "the dangers of Israel and Zionism in Morocco." This tactic aimed to tap into deep-seated public sympathy for the Palestinian cause, which remains a potent force in Moroccan society.
The Disengaged Electorate: Youth and Diaspora Voices
Morocco faces a demographic paradox: more than half of its approximately 38.8 million citizens are under the age of 35. However, this demographic strength does not translate directly into electoral participation, as only a mere 4% of the over 15.8 million registered voters fall within the 18 to 24 age bracket. This low youth voter turnout highlights the challenge of engaging younger generations in traditional politics.
"I am not keeping up much with the campaigns – but I noticed the same faces as usual," commented Hiba, a 27-year-old Moroccan living in Canada, who preferred to withhold her full name. Hiba resides in Montreal, home to a significant Moroccan diaspora numbering around 104,000 people, according to the 2016 census. Interestingly, many of the more vocal Gen Z protests in 2020-2021 were organized outside Morocco, where young Moroccans felt freer to express their frustrations without fear of repercussions.
Hiba, who co-organized several Gen Z protests in Montreal, indicated that she would have considered voting had she been able to find a proxy in Morocco, which is the mechanism through which diaspora members can cast their ballots. Despite the perceived political stagnation, she believes the protests were not in vain. "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 noted, suggesting a subtle shift in public discourse.
Siham Azeroual, the environmental activist, echoed this sentiment but offered a nuanced perspective on the path forward. Having witnessed both the 20 February movement in 2011, which led to constitutional reforms, and the more recent Gen Z movement, she believes that meaningful change requires 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 argued, advocating for grassroots engagement as a foundational step. Despite her deep-seated skepticism regarding the political campaigns, Azeroual affirmed her intention to cast her ballot, highlighting a persistent, albeit cautious, commitment to democratic participation among some disillusioned youth.
Broader Implications and the Path Forward
The outcome of these parliamentary elections was poised to significantly influence Morocco’s domestic policy, economic trajectory, and international standing. The deep-seated youth disillusionment presents a long-term challenge, threatening to further erode trust in political institutions if tangible progress on issues like unemployment and social justice remains elusive. The rise of figures like Fouzi Lekjaa, who can leverage national pride and non-political achievements, underscores a potential shift in voter preferences towards charismatic personalities over traditional party lines.
Furthermore, the debate over Israel normalization highlights the delicate balance between royal foreign policy prerogatives and public sentiment. While the King’s decisions ultimately guide foreign relations, strong public opposition, particularly from influential parties like the PJD, could create domestic pressure points. The government emerging from these elections faces the formidable task of bridging the gap between political rhetoric and the lived realities of its citizens, particularly its vast and increasingly vocal youth population. Whether the promises of job creation, improved social services, or shifts in foreign policy will genuinely resonate with a skeptical electorate remains to be seen, but the urgency for systemic change is undeniable.
