Morocco elections shaped by youth disillusionment and viral football campaigns
Summary
In the lead-up to Morocco's parliamentary elections, disillusioned young voters are being courted by political parties through promises of jobs and anti-Israel rallying calls, following a wave of protests focused on unemployment and living costs. The election comes on the heels of a troubling migration surge where 60,000 people crossed to the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, reflecting the dire economic situation faced by many Moroccans. The campaign is notably underscored by the rise of political figures like Fouzi Lekjaa, who has combined football popularity with claims to improve education and healthcare, while the Islamist Justice and Development Party seeks to capitalize on anti-Israeli sentiments. As Morocco prepares for these elections, over half of its population is under 35, yet only a small percentage of young people are participating as voters, raising questions about the effectiveness of political engagement in addressing their core concerns.
Analysis
Morocco: Morocco is a constitutional monarchy in North Africa where political parties compete for seats in the House of Representatives while executive power remains closely tied to the crown. The country is preparing for parliamentary elections amid widespread youth disillusionment, recent migration surges to the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, and ongoing debates over foreign policy and domestic opportunities. King Mohammed VI appoints the prime minister from the leading party but also leads the Council of Ministers, the key policy body. Fouzi Lekjaa: Fouzi Lekjaa serves as head of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation and holds a senior role in the finance ministry, emerging as a leading political figure after joining the Party of Authenticity and Modernity in July. He is credited with elevating Morocco's national football team, the Atlas Lions, to global contention, which has fueled viral support for his campaign in the football-obsessed country. Lekjaa has promised improvements in education and healthcare to match the team's FIFA ranking. Rachid Aourraz: Rachid Aourraz is a political expert at the Moroccan Institute for Policy Analysis (MIPA) who has analyzed the limitations of major party platforms in the current election. He notes that parties focus on implementation of royal-set policies rather than offering alternative models and views repeated job-creation pledges as structurally unfeasible. His commentary highlights skepticism about the impact of standard electoral slogans. Siham Azeroual: Siham Azeroual is a 32-year-old environmental activist from Morocco's Atlas region who has expressed deep skepticism about the political system ahead of the elections. She participated in both the 2011 20 February movement and recent Gen Z protests, advocating for change through community building rather than solely electoral politics. Azeroual plans to vote despite her reservations about the campaign. King Mohammed VI: King Mohammed VI is Morocco's 63-year-old monarch who holds significant executive authority, including appointing the prime minister and presiding over the Council of Ministers. In the current election context, he is seen by some opposition figures as potentially responsive to public sentiment on issues like ties with Israel. His role underscores the limited scope for political parties to independently shape major policy directions. Hamza El Kharroubi: Hamza El Kharroubi is a 29-year-old activist from Tetouan who was briefly arrested during the September 2025 Gen Z protests and is now running for parliament with the Environment and Sustainable Development Party. He emphasizes demands for justice and compensation related to the Ceuta migration wave and aims to give Gen Z a stronger voice by 2031. His candidacy reflects efforts by smaller parties to include younger candidates. Abdelilah Benkirane: Abdelilah Benkirane is the populist former Prime Minister who leads the Islamist Justice and Development Party (PJD) in its bid for a political comeback. The party is campaigning on ending diplomatic ties with Israel, which it normalized during its previous term, framing the move as a mistake amid ongoing public protests. Benkirane has urged the king to close the Israeli embassy in response to popular sentiment. National Rally of Independents: The National Rally of Independents (RNI) is the centrist party led by current Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, currently seeking a second term in the parliamentary elections. It has renewed its pledge to create one million job opportunities by 2031 as a core campaign message targeting young voters. The party competes against 26 others, including those leveraging football popularity and anti-Israel appeals. Party of Authenticity and Modernity: The Party of Authenticity and Modernity (PAM) is a centrist political party that Fouzi Lekjaa joined in July, positioning it as a contender in the upcoming parliamentary vote. Lekjaa's involvement has boosted its visibility through viral campaign rallies that draw on Morocco's national football passion. The party is one of the main challengers to the ruling RNI and other established groups. Youth Engagement: Young activists and candidates are increasingly entering formal politics through smaller parties to address Gen Z concerns over unemployment, healthcare, and living costs raised in recent protests. Foreign Relations: Israel and Morocco agreed earlier this month to open full embassies in their respective countries following meetings between top diplomats and the US ambassador to the United Nations. Sports and Politics: Morocco is jointly hosting the next FIFA World Cup with Spain and Portugal, amplifying the political influence of football federation leaders in the current campaign.
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macro