The Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) has taken first place in Morocco’s parliamentary election held on Wednesday, securing 97 of the 395 seats in parliament. According to provisional results, the party gained 10 additional seats compared to the 2021 vote.
Founded in 2008 by a royal adviser, PAM is widely viewed as aligned with the Moroccan monarchy and advocates for social modernization and moderate secularism. The party is currently a component of the outgoing ruling coalition.
The election results signal limited changes to the political landscape in the North African kingdom. Under Morocco’s semi-constitutional monarchy, King Mohammed VI continues to hold significant authority over foreign affairs and policy direction. The incoming government will be responsible for leading preparations for the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
While PAM advanced, members of the previous coalition suffered setbacks. The National Rally of Independents (RNI), the senior coalition partner, fell from 102 seats to 66, placing second. The right-wing Istiqlal party also declined, dropping 16 seats to finish with 65. Conversely, the moderate Islamist opposition Justice and Development Party made a notable surge, jumping from 13 seats in 2021 to 54.
Voter engagement was significantly lower than in previous years, with a turnout of just 38% among the nearly 16 million registered voters. This marks the lowest participation rate since 2007, with young voters particularly disengaged; only about 4% of registered voters were between the ages of 18 and 24.
Mistrust in the political class and concerns over living standards were cited as primary reasons for the low turnout. In 2025, Morocco experienced its largest protests since the Arab Spring, driven largely by Generation Z activists demanding action on healthcare, education, and purchasing power.
“I’m not going to vote because I have lost all faith in the political class,” Majda Bakatir, a 50-year-old voter, told AFP. “We want our country to move forward, but politicians do not seem to care about our problems regarding healthcare, education, and purchasing power.”
Interesting that the Islamists gained seats but turnout tanked. Does that mean the protests actually mobilized people outside the voting booth?
PAM winning by default while the youth stay home? That’s not a mandate, that’s a warning sign for the monarchy.
Turnout at 38% is staggering. It really shows how disconnected the average citizen feels from the political process right now.