Story perspectives

Morocco Elects 395-Seat Parliament Amid Youth Unemployment Crisis

By Drooid · Sep 23, 2026, 10:10 AM UTC · How we work

Center

Youth Unemployment Spotlight

Moroccan voters cast ballots on Wednesday, September 23 2026, to elect the 395-seat House of Representatives.
Campaign discourse centered on high youth unemployment and the $20 billion World Cup preparation costs, dominating party platforms.
King Mohammed VI will appoint the prime minister from the party winning the most seats officially.
Around 60,000 people tried to cross into Ceuta in the weeks before the vote recently.

Left

Youth Voter Power Gap

Moroccan voters cast ballots on Wednesday, Sept 23 2026, to elect the 395-seat House of Representatives.
Gen Z protests over healthcare, education and jobs have sparked calls for more youth participation and accountability.
Registered voters aged 18-24 make up four percent, while those 60+ exceed 29 percent.
Youth unemployment climbed from 13 percent in 2025 to 37 percent, highlighting persistent job scarcity.
Entrepreneur Hamza El Kharroubi founded the Environment and Sustainability Party, seeking a parliamentary seat.

Blindspot

Hamza El Kharroubi, an environmental entrepreneur, said he founded the Environment and Sustainability Party and is running for a parliamentary seat, citing increased youth engagement.
Within this story's sources, this angle appears mainly in Left-leaning coverage and receives less attention in Center-leaning coverage.

History

Historical Context

Mass protests on 20 February 2011 forced King Mohammed VI to propose constitutional reforms, which voters approved by 98 % in the 1 July 2011 referendum. The changes limited royal powers, made Berber an official language and reserved seats for women and youth, leading to early elections on 25 November 2011 where the Justice and Development Party won the most seats. The 2026 parliamentary contest echoes that reform-driven push for new representation.

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Youth Unemployment Spotlight

Moroccan voters cast ballots on Wednesday, September 23 2026, to elect the 395-seat House of Representatives.
Campaign discourse centered on high youth unemployment and the $20 billion World Cup preparation costs, dominating party platforms.
King Mohammed VI will appoint the prime minister from the party winning the most seats officially.
Around 60,000 people tried to cross into Ceuta in the weeks before the vote recently.

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