Morocco holds parliamentary vote with youth turnout near zero
DW News covered Morocco's September 23, 2026 parliamentary elections as a test of public confidence amid widespread voter apathy, especially among youth. Segments focused on low turnout at polling stations in Rabat, dominant campaign issues of jobs, cost of living, healthcare and housing, and the disconnect between 4.4% projected GDP growth and persistent youth unemployment. Correspondent Yan Philip Schultz reported empty polling stations and analyst projections of turnout possibly below 40%; expert Alyssa Javier from the Atlantic Council discussed structural barriers, World Cup spending priorities, and the limited but real domestic role of parliament under the monarchy. Reporting relied on street interviews, official registration statistics, recent protest and migration context, and expert analysis rather than anonymous sources. The throughline was youth disillusionment—visible in low 3-4% registration for 18-24 year olds, Gen Z protests in 2025, and the July 2026 Ceuta border surge—despite political promises to channel World Cup economic gains toward young Moroccans.
Source: DW News
