What's at stake as Morocco votes after mass migration attempts and deadly youth protests

CASABLANCA, Morocco (AP) — More jobs. Higher wages. Less inequality. Better housing, schools, hospitals and infrastructure.

Those are among the main concerns for Moroccan voters as they elect a new parliament Wednesday.

The next government will oversee billions of dollars in investment as Morocco prepares to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup, prompting some to describe it as the “World Cup government.” A soccer boss could even emerge as prime minister.

Morocco's new political leadership will mainly face pressure to address everyday concerns, while operating alongside a powerful monarchy that retains decision-making authority in strategic affairs.

Here is what to know about Morocco’s first parliamentary elections since deadly Gen Z-led protests erupted nearly a year ago and July's mass border crossing into the Spanish territory of Ceuta left dozens dead.

Morocco’s economy is growing and attracting foreign investment, and new industries are developing. It has also become Africa’s most-visited destination.

The kingdom is a close U.S. ally and maintains strong ties with Western capitals. It is among the few Arab countries that have diplomatic relations with Israel.

Behind the medieval palaces, glistening seas and breathtaking mountains that draw tourists from around the world lies an uncomfortable reality: Development remains uneven across the country, economic growth is not creating enough jobs, and 12.7% of Moroccans live in relative poverty.

Politicians say they have heard these grievances and have proposed solutions in their election manifestos. Many young Moroccans in particular say they have heard such promises before.

A total of 7,288 candidates from 27 political parties are competing for 395 seats.

The RNI party, part of the current governing coalition, has promised a guaranteed monthly minimum wage of 5,000 dirham ($525) and to create 1 million jobs.

Another member of the governing coalition, the PAM party, said it would exempt salaries below 15,000 dirham ($1,575) from taxes and pledged 100,000 housing solutions for young people.

The Istiqlal Party wants to speed up treatment at public hospitals. The opposition left-wing PPS aims to cut the school dropout rate in half and tighten anti-corruption rules.

The moderate Islamist PJD party aims to narrow economic disparities between major economic hubs like Casablanca and other regions.

Morocco’s constitution requires the king to choose the prime minister from the top-performing party in legislative elections.

Since no single party is expected to capture an absolute majority, the winner will need to build a coalition government. Portfolios are split among the political allies, but the palace traditionally keeps key posts such as defense and foreign affairs under royal control.

“The government’s overall policy platform is set by a circle of advisers close to the king, who retains ultimate power,'' said Hamish Kinnear, a U.K.-based risk analyst focusing on North Africa and the Middle East.

Traditionally, the king has named the leader of the party that comes first as prime minister. But in recent months, attention has turned to other possibilities, such as Faouzi Lakjaa, president of Morocco’s soccer federation, who recently joined the PAM party as a member of its political bureau but is not the top party official.

Lakjaa, 56, who also oversees Morocco’s budget, has been buoyed by Morocco’s recent soccer achievements.

Yet at a rally last week, PAM members rooted for another candidate.

“We want a woman as prime minister,” many shouted, referring to Fatima-Zahra Mansouri, 50, mayor of Marrakech and minister of urban planning. If PAM wins the election and she is named, she would be Morocco’s first female prime minister.

Another potential contender is Nizar Baraka, head of PI and minister of water. The grandson of a leader of Morocco's colonial-era independence movement, Baraka's supporters see his party as a defender of Moroccan values.

Former Prime Minister Abdelilah Benkirane, leader of the moderate Islamist PJD, is seeking a comeback after the party’s sharp defeat in 2021, when it went from 125 seats to 13.

The Democratic Path, a far-left party, has urged a boycott of Wednesday’s elections, saying that they“lack the minimum conditions of democracy and fairness.”

“The elections will not give us a parliament that expresses people’s will and the government will not have any decision-making power,” said Jamal Berrajaa, the party’s leader. He added that more than 30 members of his party were arrested after calling people to boycott the ballot box.

“We want a new democratic constitution,” Berrajaa said.

Al Aadl Wal Ihsane, a banned but tolerated Islamist organization, issued similar calls.

“Elections in Morocco are used to produce sham institutions that cannot perform their functions,” said Abdelwahed Moutawakkil, head of the group’s political department.

Young Moroccans are especially frustrated as the vote approaches. Youth unemployment reached 37% in 2025, while 2.9 million Moroccans aged 15 to 29 were not in education, employment or training, according to government figures.

Rather than joining traditional politics to make their voices heard, some have turned to street protests and attempts to leave the country. Their anger was evident in last year’s deadly Gen Z protests and the mass crossing into Ceuta this summer.

Ayoub Lasli, a lifeguard from Casablanca, was among the young Moroccans who swam into the Spanish exclave in July, hoping to find better job prospects.

Lasli doesn't plan to vote.

“I don’t care about politics and elections, and I don’t want to care,” he told The Associated Press.

Others who made the same attempt, such as 23-year-old Ayoub Belaidi, have a more nuanced view.

“Following the Gen Z movement, if young people’s voices are truly heard, change will happen,” he said. “Voting needs to improve the lives of Morocco’s youth.''

Of the 26.7 million Moroccans of voting age, 15.8 million are registered voters. Turning 18 is not enough to vote; citizens must register on the electoral rolls — a bureaucratic hurdle for many.

The number of registered voters has declined 9.7% from the 2021 elections even as the population has grown.

Though opinion polls are banned in the North African kingdom, observers expect participation to be low.

“Turnout is a key barometer of public engagement with the state,” said Kinnear.

FILE - Migrants cross from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, Thursday, July 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Antonio Sempere, File)

FILE - People protest against corruption and calling for healthcare and education reform, in Casablanca, Morocco, Oct. 2, 2025. (AP Photo, File)

Faouzi Lekjaa, president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation and member of the political bureau of the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) takes part in an electoral rally ahead of the upcoming legislative elections, in Benslimane, Morocco, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)

Faouzi Lekjaa, president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation and member of the political bureau of the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) takes part in an electoral rally ahead of the upcoming legislative elections, in Benslimane, Morocco, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)

People attend an electoral rally for Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) ahead of the upcoming legislative elections, in Benslimane, Morocco, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Caitlin Clark had 27 points, nine assists and seven rebounds, and Kelsey Mitchell added 20 points to her WNBA single-season scoring record as the Indiana Fever beat the Minnesota Lynx 96-77 on Tuesday night.

Indiana kept alive its faint hopes of earning the No. 4 seed in the playoffs and home-court advantage in the first round for at least one more day. It also prevented the Lynx from clinching the No. 1 seed, at least until after Golden State plays later Tuesday.

Mitchell extended her league record to 27 consecutive games with 20 or more points by making a 3-pointer with a little more than two minutes to play. Aliyah Boston added 17 points and seven rebounds for the Fever.

Chloe Bibby scored all of her 15 points on 3s for Minnesota. Liatu King finished with 12 points on a night the Lynx were without Olivia Miles. The record-breaking rookie was a late scratch because of an injured left calf, and her absence clearly had an impact. Miles broke Clark's single-season scoring record by a rookie on Sunday.

Indiana took control with a 14-2 run to close the first quarter while opening up a 31-16 lead. The Fever extended the margin to 38-18 quickly in the second quarter and led by as much as 57-28 the first half.

But Minnesota spent the rest of the night charging back. The Lynx — playing their backups — finally cut the deficit to single digits late in the third and when Aari McDonald drove past a defender for an uncontested layup, the deficit was 71-64 at the end of three.

The Lynx were still within 74-66 with 8:15 left, but Monique Billings made two free throws before baskets from Clark, Mitchell and Boston made it 82-66 and the Fever pulled away late.

Lynx: Hosts Indiana on Thursday in their regular season finale.

Fever: Closes out their regular season road schedule Thursday at Minnesota.

See AP’s full WNBA coverage here

Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) fouls Indiana Fever forward Myisha Hines-Allen, right, in the first half of a WNBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Minnesota Lynx guard Kayla McBride (21) defends Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) in the first half of a WNBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Minnesota Lynx guard Kayla McBride (21) drives on Indiana Fever guard Lexie Hull (10) in the first half of a WNBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Indiana Fever guard Lexie Hull (10) and Minnesota Lynx forward Liatu King go for a loose ball in the first half of a WNBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)