Morocco’s Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), a monarchy-aligned political formation, has secured 97 of the 395 seats in the House of Representatives during the parliamentary elections, falling well short of the 198 seats required for an absolute majority. Following the provisional results announced by the Ministry of Interior, King Mohammed VI must now appoint a prime minister from the winning party to forge a governing coalition ahead of the country’s preparation for the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
The Electoral Map and Coalition Arithmetic
The latest parliamentary contest reshaped Morocco’s lower house, leaving the political landscape fragmented and forcing parties into intensive negotiations. The Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) led the count with 97 seats, but the absolute majority threshold of 198 means that building a workable government requires extensive coalition-building.
Behind PAM, the National Rally of Independents (RNI)—which served as PAM’s senior partner in the outgoing coalition—suffered a steep decline, shedding ground to finish with 66 seats.
The moderate Islamist party, which led the government for a decade before a catastrophic collapse to 13 seats in 2021, quadrupled its presence to capture 54 seats. Given a deep-seated historical rivalry with PAM, a coalition between the two is highly improbable. The PJD has already announced its intention to remain in opposition, leaving PAM to seek alliances with Istiqlal and other smaller factions, such as the Popular Movement with 29 seats and the Socialist Union of Popular Forces with 26.
| Political Party | Seats Won (2026) | Status / Trajectory |
|---|---|---|
| Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) | 97 | Plurality winner; coalition builder |
| National Rally of Independents (RNI) | 66 | Declined from previous standing |
| Istiqlal Party (PI) | 65 | Monarchist ally; prospective coalition partner |
| Justice and Development Party (PJD) | 54 | Staged major comeback; moving to opposition |
| Popular Movement (MP) | 29 | Minority bloc |
| Socialist Union of Popular Forces (USFP) | 26 | Minority bloc |
Voter Disengagement and Socioeconomic Pressures
Beneath the parliamentary math lies a stark signal from the electorate. Voter turnout plummeted to 38.08 percent among the 15.8 million registered voters, down sharply from 50.86 percent in 2021 and 42.27 percent in 2016. This figure marks the second-lowest participation rate since King Mohammed VI ascended the throne in 1999, hovering just above the record-low 37 percent recorded in 2007.
Political analysts link this widespread disengagement to a combination of economic fatigue and public frustration. Last year witnessed youth-led protests demanding better jobs, accessible healthcare, and improved educational opportunities, compounded by high-profile social tensions, including deadly migration attempts toward Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta in July. The incoming administration inherits an economy grappling with persistent regional disparities, high youth unemployment, and public demands for stronger purchasing power.
Leadership Contenders and the 2030 World Cup Mandate
Under the Moroccan Constitution, the monarch holds the authority to appoint the head of government from the party that finishes first. PAM now faces decisions not only on policy alignment but also on who will take the helm as prime minister. Potential candidates within the party include Fouzi Lekjaa, the budget minister and head of Morocco’s football federation, and Fatima Ezzahra Mansouri, the mayor of Marrakech and minister of national planning, urban planning, housing, and urban policy. If selected, Mansouri would shatter a glass ceiling to become Morocco’s first female prime minister.
But there is a catch: whoever secures the premiership must immediately steer billions of dollars in infrastructure investments while co-hosting the 2030 FIFA World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal. The demands of global tournament preparation intersect directly with domestic pressures over social protection, entrepreneurship, and job creation. As provisional results await final certification, Morocco’s next government must balance international prestige with the urgent economic grievances of its citizens.
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