RABAT: Morocco’s ruling coalition dominated parliamentary elections, provisional results on Thursday showed, in a poll marked by low turnout and an improved showing for the Islamist opposition.
Turnout, especially among young Moroccans, proved a challenge for the parties in contention, weeks after tens of thousands of mainly young Moroccan migrants rushed into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta.
The crisis highlighted socioeconomic frustrations among the youth, even as the kingdom records economic growth and is ramping up major infrastructure projects as it prepares to co-host the 2030 World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal.
The election, which saw a turnout of 38 per cent from 16 million registered voters, also came a year after a Gen-Z protest movement took to the streets in Morocco to demand better health and education.
Wednesday’s turnout was the lowest since 2007 when the figure was 36.8 per cent.
The centre-right Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) won 97 out of 395 seats in the House of Representatives, with the National Rally of Independents (RNI) — which heads the outgoing coalition — came in second with 66 seats. — AFP
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