Morocco goes to the polls in an election shaped by Gen Z protests, migration surge and World Cup billions

From the Newshound archive · first published 23 September 2026.

Nearly 16 million registered Moroccan voters are casting ballots Wednesday for a new 395-seat parliament, in the first election since deadly youth-led protests and a mass migrant crossing into the Spanish territory of Ceuta. The winning party's leader will be appointed prime minister by the king, with results expected Thursday.

An outright majority for any single party is not anticipated, and the next government will therefore be shaped by coalition negotiations.

The incoming government, dubbed the 'World Cup government', faces responsibility for steering billions of dollars in investment tied to Morocco's role as a 2030 FIFA World Cup co-host.

Young Moroccans are increasingly sceptical that voting can improve their lives, with many facing high unemployment despite a growing economy, and weighing emigration over the ballot box.