Full Breakdown
Morocco’s 2026 Parliamentary Election: Low Turnout, Youth Discontent, and the Road to the 2030 World Cup
By Drooid · · How we work
Election Results and Turnout
On September 23 2026, Moroccans voted in a parliamentary election with 27 parties for the 395 seats of the House of Representatives. Provisional results from Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit show the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) leading with 97 seats, followed by the National Rally of Independents (RNI) with 66 seats, the Istiqlal Party with 65 seats, and the Justice and Development Party (PJD) with 54 seats. Turnout was 38.02 %, down from about 50 % in 2021. No party reached the 198-seat majority, so coalition talks are required, and King Mohammed VI will appoint the prime minister from the largest party.
Background & Context
The vote occurred amid growing youth frustration. In 2025 a Gen Z protest movement called for better health, education and jobs, and a deadly crossing into Ceuta in summer 2026 highlighted socioeconomic tensions. Morocco is also preparing to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup with Spain and Portugal, a $20 billion infrastructure push promoted as a growth catalyst. Under the 2011 constitution, the king retains authority over defence and foreign affairs, while parliament handles domestic programs.
Data & Statistics
- Registered voters: 15.8 million.
- Candidates: 7,288 (2,658 women).
- Seat changes: PAM +10; RNI –36; Istiqlal –16; PJD +41.
- Youth registration: 4 % of voters are 18-24.
- World Cup investment: IMF estimates 190 billion dirhams (? $20 billion), about 12 % of 2024 GDP.
- Job pledge: PAM and RNI each promise ? 1 million new jobs over five years.
Official Statements & Responses
- Abdelouafi Laftit confirmed the turnout and seat distribution.
- King Mohammed VI said he will appoint the prime minister from the party with the most seats.
- Mohamed Chouki, RNI leader, called the early results “reassuring.”
- Aziz Akhannouch, former prime minister, rejected criticism over cost-of-living issues.
- The IMF projected World Cup-related spending at roughly $20 billion.
Criticism & Opposition
- Abdelilah Benkirane, former prime minister and PJD chief, alleged the election was “tainted by fraud,” without providing evidence.
- The Moroccan election-monitoring network, a coalition of 78 civil-society groups, reported 59 suspected vote-buying cases and 53 instances of public property being used for candidate benefit.
On-the-Ground Reports
- Bader Eabram, 24, said the World Cup prospect gave him hope and motivated his vote.
- Observers noted 21 % of polling stations had queues before opening, while 87 % opened at the scheduled 8 a.m.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Turnout figures differ: Reuters cites 38.02 %, while Anadolu reported 28.05 % at 5 p.m. on election day, indicating the final national percentage is still pending.
- Results remain provisional pending full tabulation, and no coalition agreement or prime-ministerial nominee has been announced.
What’s Next
King Mohammed VI is expected to name a PAM prime minister in the coming days. The leading party will then begin coalition negotiations with RNI, Istiqlal and other groups; no formal deadline is set. Once formed, the government will approve the World Cup infrastructure budget and implement job-creation and social-welfare measures, while the IMF continues to monitor the fiscal impact of the $20 billion investment.
