Morocco goes to polls in wake of Spanish border crisis

Morocco will hold parliamentary elections on Wednesday, amid protests and a recent border crisis highlighting discontent among the populace. This marks the country's fourth election since the 2011 Arab uprisings, during which King Mohammed VI shared more power with parliament before later strengthening the monarchy's position. The two ruling parties, National Rally of Independents (RNI) and the Authenticity and Modernity Party (Pam), have focused their campaigns on youth employment, promising to create approximately one million jobs within the next term.

The border crisis at the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, triggered by economic hardship among young people, has raised concerns. While Morocco's major cities have benefited from improved living standards driven by sectors like manufacturing, ports, and railways, progress remains uneven. To boost the economy ahead of the 2030 World Cup co-hosted by Morocco, Spain, and Portugal, the government has pledged roughly $20 billion in infrastructure investments.

Analysts emphasize the challenge of engaging young voters, exemplified by recent Gen-Z-led protests and the large-scale border rush at Ceuta. Only a third of Moroccans aged 18 to 35 trust parliament, the Prime Minister, or political parties, according to a March survey by Afrobarometer. Morocco's political system keeps the monarchy in control of the country's overall policy direction, while it has also consolidated power over crucial ministries.

Following the last election five years ago, an Islamist party ruled for about a decade before losing decisively to the two coalition parties. Recently, Moroccan authorities have placed significant emphasis on their economic strategy. Already one of Africa's most diverse and industrialized economies, the country aims to double its GDP per capita by 2035 through its "New Development Model." This national economic plan focuses on sectors such as deepwater ports, phosphates, green energy, and railway lines.