Morocco's Parliamentary Elections: 27 Parties Compete Amid Limited Parliament Powers

Morocco's 27 political parties are running in the parliamentary elections in a bid to win the new parliament amid major electoral promises from the various parties vying for seats in the new parliament.

The most prominent issues on the campaign trail are job opportunities, especially among young people, as well as the cost of living, which is a major concern for voters. Youth participation in politics is also receiving special attention from rival parties, in an effort to attract an age group that makes up a large proportion of the population.

Limited powers

Despite the momentum of the election campaigns and the promises made, observers point out that the Moroccan parliament's influence remains limited in dealing with many major files and issues, which raises questions about the ability of the election winners to implement their electoral promises on the ground.

This entitlement comes in a context where Morocco is witnessing an escalating debate about the role of elected institutions in decision-making, amid calls from various political and social forces to expand the scope of the powers granted to parliament.

The results of the elections are expected to determine the political landscape in Morocco for the coming years, while political and popular circles are waiting for the level of turnout as an indicator of the extent of citizens' confidence in the electoral process and the parliamentary institution.