As Morocco prepares for parliamentary elections on September 23, internal friction within the governing coalition and rising economic pressures are shaping a volatile race.
As Morocco approaches its parliamentary elections on September 23, the political landscape is becoming increasingly volatile. The current governing coalition, comprised of the National Rally of Independents (RNI), the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), and the Istiqlal Party, is currently grappling with internal discord that threatens to undermine their collective standing. Despite maintaining a formal partnership, these parties are actively competing against one another for voter support, candidates, and political influence.
The atmosphere of distrust was recently exacerbated he recording, the voice attributed to the House of Representatives Speaker appears to criticize Budget Minister Fouzi Lekjaa, a key government figure with significant public stature due to his leadership in the Royal Moroccan Football Federation. The leak prompted defensive responses from RNI leadership, including Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch, who urged his party to prioritize election success over the premature distribution of government portfolios.
This public fallout raises critical questions for the electorate regarding the transparency of government formation. When ruling parties engage in early negotiations over cabinet positions, it leaves voters questioning the extent to which the next government is being pre-determined behind closed doors. This friction underscores the fragile nature of Morocco’s multi-party system, where the winning party must secure a robust coalition to effectively govern.
The core of the upcoming campaign will undoubtedly focus on the economic realities facing Moroccan households. While the government highlights its progress in infrastructure investment, economic growth, and the expansion of social protections, opposition groups are framing these achievements as insufficient. For many citizens, the primary concern is the persistent cost of living; while the rate of inflation has slowed, the prices of essential goods, food, and fuel remain significantly higher than they were in recent years.
Employment remains another major hurdle for the incumbent administration. The government set an ambitious goal to create one million net jobs between 2021 and 2026, a target that has faced significant scrutiny from political rivals. Critics argue that these economic promises have failed to materialize into tangible opportunities for the youth. Furthermore, the rising cost of traditional celebrations, such as the sacrifice of sheep for Eid al-Adha, has become a potent symbol of economic strain, with many families struggling to maintain cultural traditions due to skyrocketing prices.
The Justice and Development Party (PJD), which held power for two terms before its significant loss in 2021, is attempting a political comeback. ervice quality, healthcare, and education to regain voter confidence. Their strategy focuses on exposing alleged conflicts of interest and challenging the government on its inability to lower the cost of living, aiming to transform public dissatisfaction into electoral gains.
Trust in the political process is a central theme in this election. Allegations concerning the intersection of political office and private business interests have damaged public perception, with many voters feeling that the political class is more concerned with internal power dynamics than the needs of the average citizen. The challenge for all parties is to demonstrate accountability and prove that their policy reforms are directly improving the daily lives of Moroccans rather than merely serving institutional interests.
Social media has emerged as a dominant force in the current campaign, acting as a primary channel for both official messaging and the rapid spread of controversy. The digital sphere has enabled parties to reach voters directly, but it has also facilitated the viral nature of leaked recordings and political attacks. Furthermore, social media played a significant role in the recent, tragic mass migration attempt at the Spanish-administered enclave of Ceuta, where misinformation and online videos reportedly encouraged thousands to attempt the crossing.
The Ceuta incident has now become a sensitive political issue, with the PJD calling for a royal commission of inquiry into the event. This tragedy has forced a broader debate on youth opportunities, migration, and the complexities of Morocco’s diplomatic relationship with Spain. Whether this issue remains a security concern or evolves into a broader discussion about the socioeconomic conditions driving migration will depend on how parties choose to address it during the final stages of their campaign.