Morocco chooses new parliament after year of protests
Voters cast ballots for 395 seats as parties promise to create jobs, improve public services and reduce inequality.
Morocco chooses a new parliament on Wednesday. They are the first parliamentary elections since deadly youth protests and new tensions over migration. Twenty-seven parties have put forward a total of 7,288 candidates for 395 seats.
The elections are taking place against a backdrop of discontent over jobs, wages, housing, education and healthcare. According to Associated Press, Morocco’s economy is growing and the country is attracting foreign investment, but growth remains unevenly distributed and good jobs are scarce.
The governing RNI party has promised, according to AP, to introduce a guaranteed minimum wage of 5,000 dirham per month and create 1 million jobs. Other parties are placing their own emphasis on social provisions, public services and regional development. Whether such promises are implemented after the elections depends on coalition-building and on the room for manoeuvre within the political system.
The parliament has 395 seats. The party that wins the most seats does not automatically gain all the power: in Morocco, the king retains a strong position in strategic areas and appoints the prime minister from the party that wins the election. The eventual formation of the government may therefore involve several parties.
The elections follow protests that were led, according to AP, by young Moroccans. They complained about a lack of opportunities and unequal development. A major attempt to reach the Spanish enclave of Ceuta and deadly incidents at the border have also increased pressure on the government.
The result is particularly important for the extent to which the new parliament can translate social promises into policy. The government faces the task of linking investment, including preparations for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, to better everyday services. At the same time, the monarchy remains the country’s most important power factor.
The available sources do not yet provide a reliable result on the morning of the vote. The official Moroccan election page confirms the election date and practical information for voters, while AP describes the political stakes and the campaign context. Claims of fraud or a definitive winner have therefore not been included.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- Parliamentary elections are being held in Morocco on 23 September 2026.
- There are 395 seats and 27 participating parties.
- Jobs, wages, housing, education and healthcare are among the main campaign issues.
- The monarchy retains a strong position in strategic decision-making.
Left
Arguments Elections only have meaning if economic growth also leads to better public services, less inequality and real opportunities for young people. The state should invest more heavily in education, healthcare and job security.
Values Equality, social justice and public services.
Consequences Greater public investment and redistribution will take priority over prestige projects.
Centre
Arguments Morocco needs stability and investment, but reforms should be carried out gradually and institutionally. Parliament can safeguard social promises without undermining the economic foundations.
Values Stability, feasibility and administrative continuity.
Consequences Coalition policies with targeted investment and measurable agreements are the likely outcome.
Right
Arguments Economic growth and foreign investment only create opportunities if security, entrepreneurship and administrative discipline are maintained. The state should create jobs by giving businesses and infrastructure room to develop.
Values Order, economic freedom and national development.
Consequences The emphasis will be on growth, investment and efficient government, even if social improvements follow in stages.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The election date, the number of seats, parties and candidates, and the political context described have been confirmed by AP and official Moroccan information. No result has been presented as fact.
- confirmed Morocco is holding parliamentary elections on 23 September 2026. — The official election page and AP describe the elections as taking place on Wednesday 23 September. source
- confirmed Twenty-seven parties are taking part with 7,288 candidates for 395 seats. — Mentioned by AP in its election preview. source
- confirmed The RNI has promised a minimum wage of 5,000 dirham and 1 million jobs. — AP describes these campaign promises. source
- confirmed The king appoints the prime minister from the party that wins the election. — The constitutional and political background is described in publicly available background information about the elections. source
- incorrect The election result is already known. — The article is published before the vote and names no winner. source
Editor's note
This article is published before the result. The political background and campaign promises are largely based on AP; official sources confirm the elections but do not currently provide a result.Sources
- Morocco holds elections after mass migration attempts and deadly youth protests — Associated Press
- Young people in Morocco split over whether politics can deliver change — Associated Press
- Élections législatives marocaines 2026 — Maroc.ma
- 2026 Moroccan general election — Wikipedia
More on this in Dutch media
- RTL Nieuws — „marokko verkiezingen”
- NOS — „marokko verkiezingen”
- Het Parool — „marokko verkiezingen”