# Morocco votes amid youth anger and political theatre > Young Moroccans feel disconnected from politics as parties court them with football slogans, job promises and anti-Israel rhetoric ahead of Wednesday's election. - Title: Morocco votes amid youth anger and political theatre - Summary: Young Moroccans feel disconnected from politics as parties court them with football slogans, job promises and anti-Israel rhetoric ahead of Wednesday's… - Keywords: morocco, parliamentary election, youth unemployment, gen z protests, ceuta migration, fouzi lekjaa, football politics, israel normalisation, king mohammed vi, aziz akhannouch, justice and development party, political disillusionment - Source: BBC News — https://bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8r4v7n6py97o - Published: 2026-09-22T20:59:00.477+00:00 - Read time: 2 min - Topics: morocco, parliamentary election, youth unemployment, gen z protests, ceuta migration, fouzi lekjaa, football politics, israel normalisation, king mohammed vi, aziz akhannouch, justice and development party, political disillusionment ## Young Moroccans feel shut out Voters under 35 make up over half Morocco's population but only 4% of registered voters are aged 18 to 24. Many feel politics is disconnected from their reality. > I have no hope for this election. I'm ashamed of our political scene. It's a complete circus. ## Ceuta migration exposed desperation In late July, 60,000 people crossed from Morocco to the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, with at least 100 dying in the largest migration surge in recent history. It signals the lack of opportunities young people feel. ## Youth unemployment reaches 37% The International Monetary Fund estimates youth unemployment between ages 15 and 24 reached 37.3% last year, while overall unemployment stood at 13%. ## Gen Z protests shook the system September 2025 saw waves of protests over unemployment, healthcare and living costs, with demonstrators chanting for Prime Minister Akhannouch to step down. Over 2,400 faced prosecution. ## Some activists are running for office Hamza El Kharroubi, 29, was briefly arrested during protests but is now running for parliament with the Environment and Sustainable Development Party. He wants justice for those who died crossing to Ceuta. > As a young person, I don't have much hope. I joined this party because they wanted more Gen Z faces. ## Football star enters politics Fouzi Lekjaa, head of Morocco's football federation credited with making the Atlas Lions global contenders, joined the centrist Party of Authenticity and Modernity in July and has become a political sensation. ## Campaign rallies go viral with football Videos of Lekjaa's campaign rallies show crowds chanting 'Sir', the iconic catchphrase from Morocco's 2022 World Cup run when it became the first Arab and African side to reach the semi-finals. ## Lekjaa promises education and healthcare Lekjaa has pledged to make Morocco sixth in the world in education and healthcare, matching the FIFA ranking of the men's football team. ## Ruling party promises one million jobs Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch's National Rally of Independents is seeking a second term with a renewed pledge to create one million job opportunities by 2031. ## Job promise lacks credibility Political expert Rachid Aourraz says the one million jobs slogan is overused and cannot overcome structural inability to create stable net jobs. Major parties lack alternative economic models. > The slogan 'one million jobs' has become an overused electoral slogan. ## Islamists campaign on Israel ties The Justice and Development Party, led by former Prime Minister Abdelilah Benkirane, is campaigning to end diplomatic ties with Israel, calling the 2020 normalisation a mistake. > If we work hard, the king will close the Israeli embassy. ## Israel ties strained by Gaza war Morocco normalised relations with Israel in December 2020 but ties were hit during the Gaza war with weekly protests in Rabat. The Israeli liaison office closed and direct flights suspended. ## Embassies to reopen despite protests Despite tens of thousands protesting and burning Israeli flags during the Gaza conflict, Israel and Morocco agreed earlier this month to open full embassies in their respective countries. ## Key takeaway Morocco's youth are deeply disillusioned with politics despite making up over half the population, with established parties offering familiar promises rather than real change.