Moroccan Election Campaign Courts Young Voters Disillusioned by Job Prospects

In rural Morocco, a funeral has become an unlikely campaign stop for political candidates seeking to energize young voters ahead of Wednesday's parliamentary elections. Yassine Moujane, a 28-year-old attorney running with the pro-establishment Democratic and Social Movement, represents a new wave of younger candidates aiming to address the concerns of a generation grappling with limited job prospects and economic uncertainty.

Moroccan youth have recently expressed their disillusionment through large-scale protests and a surge in migration attempts. Candidates like Moujane are visiting local gatherings, including the recent funeral in Sidi Moussa El Majdoub, to listen to grievances and solicit votes, hoping to convince young people that political engagement can yield tangible change.

"Young people can do politics," Moujane told The Associated Press. He is one of 7,288 candidates competing for 395 seats in the House of Representatives, representing 27 political parties. The party securing the most seats will form the next government.

This election follows significant youth-led protests and a tragic mass attempt by Moroccans to cross into Spain's Ceuta territory, a perilous journey that claimed the lives of many young individuals seeking better opportunities. The incoming government will face the immediate challenge of addressing inflation and unemployment, and demonstrating that the country's economic development, including its growing automotive and aeronautics industries and the expansion of its high-speed rail, translates into improved living standards for its youth.

Despite Morocco's projected GDP growth of 4.2% this year, job creation has lagged, particularly for young people. Official data indicates a 37% unemployment rate for those aged 15-24 and 19% for higher-education graduates, compared to an overall unemployment rate of 13% in 2025. This economic disparity fuels widespread frustration.

"Politicians don’t care about us. They only care about their own interests," said Yassine Hasnaoui, a 28-year-old unemployed man from Sidi Moussa El Majdoub, reflecting a common sentiment that political elites are detached from the realities of younger generations. Many young Moroccans feel that political figures have remained in power for too long without delivering meaningful change.

Young voters, aged 18-24, constitute about 12% of Morocco's population but only 4% of registered voters. Active registration is required to vote, a step many young citizens do not take. Their concerns are often centered on everyday issues such as employment, cost of living, and access to essential services like education and healthcare, mirroring the grievances of recent protest movements.

While the monarchy, led by King Mohammed VI, retains significant power, including over foreign policy and national security, recent youth protests have largely focused criticism on the government and political parties, rather than the monarchy itself. This approach differs from the Arab Spring protests of the 2010s, which sought to curb royal authority. Young demonstrators have called for reforms within the existing system, viewing the monarchy as a stabilizing force.

Moujane, who volunteered to defend protesters arrested during recent demonstrations, stated that their demands for better schools, hospitals, housing, and a healthier environment align with his party's platform. He faces the challenge of entering a parliament where the average age of lawmakers is 53, running a low-budget campaign to gain a foothold.

Morocco is scheduled to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup, a major undertaking that will place the next government under a global spotlight and require significant investment in infrastructure and development projects.