Moroccan Ruling Parties Slip as Islamists Make Gains in Parliamentary Vote
Morocco's parliamentary elections saw setbacks for the ruling coalition and a strong comeback for Islamist parties, amid low voter turnout and preparations for the 2030 World Cup.
Morocco has announced the near-final results of its parliamentary elections, revealing a setback for the ruling coalition parties while the Islamist opposition registered a notable comeback. According to the Ministry of the Interior in Rabat, the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) secured first place with 97 out of 395 seats. PAM was part of the outgoing coalition alongside the National Rally of Independents (RNI), which suffered a significant defeat, dropping to second place with 66 seats. The conservative Istiqlal Party won 65 seats, while the Islamist Justice and Development Party (PJD), which led the government until the 2021 elections before collapsing to just 13 seats, rebounded strongly to win 54 seats.
The 'World Cup Government' and Royal Authority
Morocco is a constitutional monarchy headed by King Mohammed VI, who retains sweeping powers over foreign policy, defense, and strategic national decisions. Consequently, the election results will not dramatically alter the balance of power in Rabat, but the incoming administration will manage day-to-day governance for a population of 39 million over the next five years. The new government will oversee an ambitious $20 billion infrastructure development program ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which Morocco will co-host with Spain and Portugal—earning the upcoming cabinet the moniker of the "World Cup Government."
Under the 2011 constitution, the King is required to appoint the prime minister from the winning party, making PAM the presumptive leader of the next government. Speculation over the premiership has centered on figures such as Faouzi Lekjaa, president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, and Fatima-Zahra Mansouri, the mayor of Marrakech and current minister of urban planning, who could become Morocco's first female prime minister if selected by the monarch.
Implications for Israel Ties and Regional Dynamics
While real executive power remains firmly with the King, the resurgence of Islamist politicians has raised concerns among foreign observers and in regional capitals. The PJD, led by former Prime Minister Abdelilah Benkirane, centered much of its campaign on anti-Israel rhetoric, with Benkirane publicly criticizing the 2020 normalization of ties under the Abraham Accords and calling for the closure of the newly upgraded Israeli embassy in Rabat.
The entry of prominent anti-normalization activists, such as PJD member Aziz El Heddaoui, into the new parliament has further amplified these anxieties. Critics point out that despite low voter turnout—which dropped to 38%, the lowest since 2007—radical anti-Israel voices secured parliamentary seats amid broader public frustration over economic inequality, high youth unemployment standing at 37%, and the socio-economic grievances that fueled youth protests across the kingdom.
