The parliamentary elections in Morocco led to the Authenticity and Modernity Party’s win. The party has already formed the government with the first female prime minister, Fatima Zahra El Mansouri. Due to the lack of a majority of seats in the election, held in September 2026, the PAM formed a coalition government with three other parties, including the Socialist Union of Popular Forces (USFP) and the Party of Progress and Socialism (PPS). There are various public expectations from the newly sworn-in government of Morocco — a constitutional monarchy. But how much the government can meet public expectations remains uncertain.
Morocco has been facing various problems, though it has steadily been improving on several grounds over the decades. The lack of economic opportunities, growing social disparities, and corruption are some main problems, and many voters have been vocal about these in the latest elections. A large segment of youth (1.121 million) still does not have income opportunities, even though the level of unemployment has somewhat dropped. The public expects relief from rising fuel prices, inflation, and everyday living expenses from the new government and reforms on various grounds, including anti-corruption reforms. Many consider rising living costs difficult to maintain. Moreover, there are economic gaps, regional disparities across the kingdom’s twelve regions, and some forms of political repression.
But positively saying, political parties have made electoral campaign promises to address many of the problems and put emphasis on reforms. The PAM — a liberal-leaning party founded in 2008 — pledged during electoral campaigns to implement economic policies aimed at addressing widespread youth discontent and improve transparency and governance. Besides, other coalition parties, including the USFP and the PPS, put emphasis on addressing economic concerns of the youth, an issue highlighted by a mass border rush on the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in July 2026 and deadly Gen-Z movements in 2025.
The PAM-led government needs to meet campaign promises, and measures need to be taken to meet public expectations in Morocco. But there are various challenges to addressing these. The coalition of several parties and the limited power of the political government can pose some challenges. King Mohammed VI, the Monarch of Morocco, retains ultimate authority over strategic domains, national security, foreign policy, and religious affairs, which can put challenges to the government. But the likeness of coalition partners and good relations between the king and the PAM may help address various concerns without major legislative and executive difficulties. Besides, corruption and bureaucratic obstacles can hinder the process.
The government needs to address economic concerns and regional disparities, along with job losses, in Morocco — a country that has steadily modernized its institutions and strengthened legal frameworks. But it can be difficult to create 1 million jobs, as pledged, within 2031 due to structural and other causes. Decentralized development initiatives and increased opportunities in regions, including Béni Mellal-Khénifra, Fès-Meknès, Drâa-Tafilalet, and general interior or rural hinterlands that suffer from high multidimensional poverty, will help. Promoting SMEs further will be helpful.
But the government will face significant challenges in addressing the greater accountability and cronyism in Morocco. The lack of accountability and cronyism has been deeply entrenched in political, structural, and institutional factors over the decades that help concentrate power within the monarchy and a highly connected elite network — affecting the economy, public services, and social stability of the country. Well-connected businessmen and firms, especially those that are tied to political elites or high-ranking figures in the country, are more benefited and frequently capture a disproportionate share of public procurement contracts.
The government will face difficulties in addressing corruption and cronyism probably due to the PAM’s historical ties to the monarchy and its own internal dynamics. The government needs to address these causes and reduce corruption and cronyism. Cooperation among the parties of the coalition will be helpful, along with cooperation between the Monarch and the government. Moreover, the government needs to further reduce political repression, which has increased over the years.
