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On Wednesday, Moroccan voters head to the polls in legislative elections that will determine the government overseeing the final stages of a $20 billion investment plan in preparation for hosting the 2030 FIFA World Cup, and projects aimed at directing economic gains to the youth.
The elections are not expected to lead to a fundamental change in the balance of power in the kingdom, as the king retains broad powers in determining political directions and defense and foreign affairs files.
However, the next parliament will have the task of implementing initiatives increasingly focused on addressing youth discontent, which was evident in a mass border crossing attempt into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, and protests led by Generation Z that resulted in casualties last year.
The current government consists of three parties, including two founded by people close to the royal palace, which ousted the moderate Islamist Justice and Development Party, which came to power a decade earlier following the Arab Spring protests of 2011.
The 2011 protests led to an expansion of the powers of the elected parliament, before the king later reasserted his influence over files including foreign affairs and the Ministry of the Interior.
Under the 2011 constitution, the king appoints the prime minister from the party that wins the most seats in the 395-seat House of Representatives. The prime minister must then consult to form a government coalition, before submitting a list of ministers to the king for approval.
Polling stations open at 8:00 AM and close at 7:00 PM, with preliminary results typically announced the following day.
The turnout rate, especially among young people, will be closely watched as an indicator of the level of citizen engagement and confidence in elected institutions.
The number of Moroccans of voting age is approximately 27 million, but the number of registered voters does not exceed 15.8 million, a decrease of nearly 12% compared to the 2021 elections.
Spending plans
The two largest parties in the current parliament, the National Rally of Independents and the Authenticity and Modernity Party, have pledged to provide about one million job opportunities during the next five-year legislative term, along with improving housing, wages, and health services.
The two parties govern together in a coalition, but during the election campaign, they accused each other of failing to curb rising food prices and other manifestations of government policy shortcomings.
In light of these disagreements, leaders of the Authenticity and Modernity Party ruled out rejoining a coalition with the National Rally of Independents if the latter tops the election results.
Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, a businessman who has led the government since 2021, will not run for a new term after stepping down this year as head of the National Rally of Independents.
Fouad Laroui, president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation and Minister Delegate to the Ministry of Economy and Finance in charge of the budget, joined the leadership of the Authenticity and Modernity Party weeks before the elections. Laroui heads the organizing committee for the 2030 World Cup.
Morocco is investing heavily in stadiums, railways, and other infrastructure projects in preparation for the World Cup, which it will co-host with Spain and Portugal, with the aim of doubling per capita economic output by 2035.
The International Monetary Fund estimated spending on these plans at about 190 billion dirhams, or $20 billion, equivalent to about 12% of Morocco's GDP in 2024.
Other parties competing include the conservative and nationalist Independence Party, a coalition partner, the Islamist Justice and Development Party, which suffered a major defeat in the previous elections, and several leftist parties.
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