Morocco is heading to the polls to elect members for the 395 seats in the House of Representatives. The election takes place against a backdrop of significant economic challenges, including a youth unemployment rate of 37.3%, and follows a period of civil unrest that saw Gen Z-led protests in September 2025 over living costs and healthcare.

The campaign has been marked by diverse strategies. Fouzi Lekjaa, a senior politician and head of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, has utilized his popularity from the national team's success to rally support for the Party of Authenticity and Modernity (Pam). Meanwhile, the National Rally of Independents (RNI), led by Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, is seeking a second term with a pledge to generate one million jobs by 2031. Analysts, however, remain skeptical of the feasibility of such employment targets.

Foreign policy has also become a central campaign issue, particularly regarding Morocco’s diplomatic ties with Israel. The Justice and Development Party (PJD), led by former Prime Minister Abdelilah Benkirane, is campaigning on a platform to end these relations, citing the ongoing conflict in Gaza. This comes despite recent reports that Morocco and Israel have moved toward opening full embassies.

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While established parties dominate the political landscape, some young activists are attempting to enter the arena. Hamza El Kharroubi, a 29-year-old candidate for the Environment and Sustainable Development Party, stated, "I joined this party because they wanted more Gen Z faces and they are allowing us to speak freely about our demands." El Kharroubi emphasized the need for justice following a recent migration surge toward the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, which resulted in significant loss of life.

Despite the political activity, many young Moroccans express skepticism regarding the impact of the vote. With executive power remaining closely tied to King Mohammed VI, who appoints the prime minister and leads the Council of Ministers, some activists argue that real change requires community-level engagement rather than just participation in the parliamentary process.

Source: BBC News