Morocco votes: youth torn between hope and scepticism in parliamentary election
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Neutral summary
Moroccans go to the polls on Wednesday, September 23, to elect the 395 members of the House of Representatives, with between 15.8 million (El Mundo) and 16 million (CNews) voters called to cast ballots. This is the first parliamentary election since the Gen Z protests that swept the country in late 2025. Young Moroccans are divided: some hope the vote will deliver change, others are deeply sceptical. Challenges quotes one young voter as saying: “This is all a real masquerade, nobody will ever change anything.” According to Challenges, only 4% of people aged 18–24 are registered on the electoral rolls. Twenty-seven parties are contesting the election, including the Justice and Development Party (PJD), which hopes to bounce back after its 2021 defeat, when it won just 12 seats against 125 previously. The ruling coalition formed in 2021 — the National Rally of Independents (RNI), the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) and the royalist Istiqlal — brought Aziz Akhannouch to the premiership, but five years of social and economic strain have eroded trust in political parties. The cost of living dominates the campaign, and Le Monde says the favourite parties, close to the royal palace, are running a “façade” campaign. The Independent notes the election comes after mass migration attempts and deadly youth protests. Al Jazeera reports that young candidates hope to turn youth frustration into political participation, while parties campaign in markets and online.
How it was framed
Outlets: 10. Countries: 4. Facts in the shared core: 2.
Publication timeline
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The Independent (outlet profile)
Young people in Morocco split over whether politics can deliver change as election draws near. In Morocco's election race, a rural funeral has become an unexpected campaign stop for candidates aiming to engage disenchan…
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Africanews (outlet profile)
Morocco: Youth vote in focus ahead of first parliamentary elections since Gen Z protests. As Morocco readies for Wednesday’s parliamentary elections, all eyes are on young voters. These are the first elections since you…
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Mediapart (outlet profile)
Au Maroc, les jeunes risquent de déserter les élections législatives. Les Marocains votent mercredi 23 septembre pour élire leurs représentants, après le mandat mouvementé d’une coalition qu’une partie de la jeunesse ma…
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Le Monde (outlet profile)
Au Maroc, les faux-semblants d’une campagne législative sans relief. Le scrutin du 23 septembre ne suscite que peu d’intérêt dans le royaume, où le thème du coût de la vie est la préoccupation dominante parmi les électe…
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Al Jazeera (outlet profile)
Moroccan parties mobilise in markets and online for parliamentary elections. Moroccan parties are pushing campaigns before the September 23 vote to secure 395 parliamentary seats.
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El Mundo (outlet profile)
Marruecos vota con el Gobierno dividido y sus jóvenes desencantados en plena crisis de Ceuta. 15,8 millones de electores están llamados a elegir este miércoles a los 395 diputados de la Cámara de Representantes, la Cáma…
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Al Jazeera (outlet profile)
Morocco’s youth take Gen Z protest demands to the polls. Young candidates hope the election can turn youth frustration into political participation.
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CNews (outlet profile)
Législatives au Maroc : les islamistes du PJD en embuscade. Après leur défaite en 2021, le Parti de la justice et du développement (PJD) entend mobiliser le maximum de voix dans les urnes ce mercredi 23 septembre, avec…
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RFI (outlet profile)
Gronde sociale, défiance, vote de la jeunesse: les grands enjeux des élections législatives au Maroc. Vingt-sept partis politiques vont se disputer les 395 sièges qui garnissent le Parlement marocain, mercredi 23 septem…
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France 24 (outlet profile)
Hope and scepticism among youth as Morocco goes to the polls. With just a day to go before legislative elections on September 23, young Moroccans are torn between hope and scepticism ahead of the crucial vote. Nearly 16…
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Challenges (outlet profile)
« Tout cela est une vraie mascarade, personne ne pourra jamais rien changer » : pourquoi tant de jeunes Marocains boudent les législatives. Un an après les protestations de la jeunesse marocaine qui demandait un meilleu…
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The Independent (outlet profile)
Morocco holds elections after mass migration attempts and deadly youth protests. Here's what to know. Moroccan voters are heading to the polls to elect a new parliament, with a focus on jobs, wages, and inequality
Factual core
- Many young Moroccans are boycotting the legislative elections.
- The elections determined the 395 members of the House of Representatives.