Morocco votes in parliamentary election dominated by economic grievances

Moroccans went to the polls on Wednesday to elect the 395 members of the House of Representatives, with nearly 16 million of the country's 36 million citizens eligible to vote. Polling stations opened at 8:00 a.m. and closed at 7:00 p.m. local time, with preliminary results expected late in the evening.

The election follows deadly youth-led protests last year and a mass border crossing into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in July that left dozens dead. While the migration crisis did not dominate campaign rhetoric, parties focused heavily on purchasing power, unemployment, and inequality.

“We have carried out reforms in education and health, we have increased wages. We answered the call when Moroccans needed us.”

A total of 7,288 candidates from 27 parties are competing. The National Rally of Independents (RNI), which leads the current coalition, campaigned on a record including expanded social coverage and direct aid. Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch led the RNI campaign despite stepping down as party leader.

The Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), a coalition partner, pledged tax exemptions for salaries below 15,000 dirhams and 100,000 housing solutions for youth. The RNI promised a guaranteed minimum wage of 5,000 dirhams and the creation of one million jobs.

The next prime minister will be appointed by King Mohammed VI from the party that wins the most seats, though the monarchy retains control over strategic sectors. Voter turnout, particularly among young people, is seen as a key test of legitimacy for the new government.