In Morocco's parliamentary election on September 21, the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) won the most seats with 97 out of 395. The results showed a close vote, with PAM followed by the National Rally for Democracy (RNI) at 66 seats and the Istiqlal Party at 65 seats. The election comes amid efforts to address social inequalities and youth discontent, including Morocco's bid to host the $20 billion World Cup project in 2030. PAM’s victory could potentially see its leader, Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri, become prime minister, a role she would hold as the second woman to lead an Arab government after Tunisia’s Najla Bouden.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-09-24,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
On September 23, 395 seats in Morocco's House of Representatives were contested by twenty-seven political parties as part of the legislative elections. The Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) emerged victorious with 97 seats, surpassing its previous coalition partner, the National Rally of Independents (RNI), which secured 66 seats. Despite this win, PAM did not achieve an outright majority and must now negotiate with other parties to form a governing coalition. The election follows widespread youth-led protests over joblessness and high living costs; unemployment for those aged 15-24 stands at 37.3%, contributing to the low voter turnout of just 38% compared to previous years.
Written for “Morocco Parliamentary Election Results” on 2026-10-05,
grounded in this article and the 6 other(s) covering the same event.
PAM party wins most seats in Morocco's parliamentary election
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party → win → election
The Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) won the largest number of seats in Morocco's legislative election, followed by its partners in the outgoing government, RNI, and the Istiqlal party, according to official preliminary results on Thursday.
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Party → win → Thursday
The close vote in Wednesday's poll will shape the next coalition government which will oversee the final stages of a $20 billion push to prepare for the 2030 World Cup, and initiatives aimed at reducing inequalities and addressing youth discontent, highlighted by a mass border rush on the Spanish enclave of Ceuta and deadly Gen-Z-led protests last year.
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which → shape → Ceuta
Liberal-centrist PAM took 97 seats in the 395-seat parliament, ahead of the RNI with 66, while the Istiqlal Party secured 65 seats, the Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit said in a news briefing on Thursday.
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Minister → take → Thursday
The Islamist Justice and Development Party rebounded to 54 seats, from only 13 in the previous election, buoyed by the return of its former prime minister Abdelilah Benkirane.
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Party → rebound → minister
Leftist parties such as USFP, PPS and FGD took 26, 19 and 8 seats respectively.
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parties → take → seats
PAM was created in 2008 by an advisor to the king and has since positioned itself as a counterweight to the Islamist PJD by advocating social modernisation and secular-leaning views.
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PAM → create → modernisation
Outgoing Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, a billionaire businessman who has led the government coalition since 2021, is not standing again after stepping down as RNI leader this year.
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who → lead → leader
His party faced criticism over the cost of living, protests, unemployment and conflicts of interest, which it denied.
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it → face → which
Turnout stood at 38.02%, down from 50% in the 2021 election, according to official data.
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Turnout → stand → data
About 27 million Moroccans are of voting age, but only 15.8 million are registered to vote, a drop of about 12% from 2021 election.
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million → register → election
Turnout is seen as a barometer for citizens' engagement and trust in elected institutions.
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Turnout → see → institutions
The parliamentary poll is not expected to fundamentally alter the balance of power in Morocco, where the king retains sweeping powers over policy direction, defence and foreign affairs.
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king → expect → direction
Under a constitution adopted in 2011, the king appoints the prime minister from the party that wins the most seats.
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that → adopt → seats
If King Mohammed VI appoints PAM’s current leader, Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri, as head of government, she would become the second woman to hold such a position in the Arab region, after Tunisia’s Najla Bouden.
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she → appoint → Bouden
The party was boosted by the recruitment of Fouzi Lekjaa, budget minister and football federation chief, who joined the party weeks before the vote and contributed to its campaign.
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who → boost → campaign
His profile grew on the back of his role in making Morocco’s national team a serious contender in international football arena and he is seen by observers as a likely candidate for the post of prime minister.
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he → grow → minister
PAM will have to negotiate a coalition even as its leaders have ruled out partnering again with RNI as the two parties trade accusations over failed policies.
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parties → have → policies
PAM campaigned on a $37 billion platform promising 1 million new jobs and continued investment in healthcare, social protection and better wages.
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PAM → campaign → healthcare
The Aporia
