Morocco’s 2026 legislative vote: what the new political map means for Moroccans abroad

This update focuses on Morocco 2026 legislative elections. The 23 September 2026 legislative elections in Morocco have reshuffled party rankings without overturning the system, while record low turnout raises wider questions that also matter to Moroccans living abroad.

Morocco 2026 legislative elections: a new balance without rupture

The Morocco 2026 legislative elections highlight a central paradox: the balance of power between parties has shifted, yet the overall structure of power remains largely unchanged.

According to figures announced by Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit, the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) came first with 97 out of 395 seats. It is followed by the National Rally of Independents (RNI) with 66 seats and the Istiqlal Party (PI) with 65.

The Justice and Development Party (PJD) staged a notable comeback, winning 54 seats. The Popular Movement (MP) secured 29 seats, the Socialist Union of Popular Forces (USFP) 26, the Party of Progress and Socialism (PPS) 19, and the Constitutional Union (UC) 17, while the Left Federation (FGD) climbed to 8 seats.

The three parties that formed the previous governing majority remain at the top, although their internal order has changed. The recomposition is therefore more about rebalancing within the majority and the opposition than about a systemic break.

Low turnout and a crisis of political trust

The most striking feature of the Morocco 2026 legislative elections is participation. Turnout fell to 38.02% of registered voters, compared to 50.18% in 2021. It is among the lowest levels since 2007, when turnout reached 37%.

This massive abstention reflects a deep crisis of confidence in political parties and institutions. It is particularly acute among young people: 18–24-year-olds represented only around 4% of registered voters, far below their real demographic weight.

For part of the electorate, not voting is less about apathy than about protest. Refusing to register or cast a ballot becomes a way to send a negative but clear message about the political offer and public policies.

This signal comes one year after mobilisations by the GenZ 212 movement and against a backdrop of persistent social tensions. It raises questions about the new parliament’s ability to address concerns over jobs, purchasing power, public services and governance.

Why this matters, indirectly, for Moroccans abroad

For Moroccans abroad, the new balance produced by the this case does not immediately change administrative procedures, travel rules or investment frameworks. The concrete impact will depend on the future government and its policy priorities.

Several key areas that shape the relationship with the homeland could nonetheless be influenced by the political dynamics emerging from this vote:

• the modernisation of consular and online administrative services;
• management of peak travel periods during summer and religious or family holidays;
• investment and savings schemes specifically targeting Moroccans abroad;
• programmes to support permanent return or resettlement in Morocco.

The low turnout inside the country echoes a broader debate familiar to many Moroccans living abroad: how to rebuild trust in institutions, ensure meaningful representation and make the impact of elections on daily life more visible.

The coming months will be decisive. How the new majority handles social pressure and interacts with a strengthened opposition will send indirect but important signals about the stability of reforms, the legal security of projects and the predictability of public policies followed closely by the diaspora.

For now, practical procedures for Moroccans abroad remain governed by existing rules. For up-to-date information, it is advisable to consult the official portal dedicated to Moroccans living abroad and, when needed, refer to Canal212’s guide to key procedures for MREs.

The political process now entering its next phase – coalition building, government formation and setting a reform agenda – will determine whether these this issue mark the start of a new cycle or the continuation, with adjustments, of the path followed in recent years.

For more context, readers can follow Canal212 news for Moroccans abroad.