The Authenticity and Modernity party won 97 seats in Morocco’s legislative elections, according to preliminary results announced by Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit.
Authenticity and Modernity Party Leads Preliminary Vote Count
Moroccan voters went to the polls to elect 395 representatives from a pool of more than seven thousand candidates. Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit released the initial figures showing the Authenticity and Modernity party, which participated in the outgoing government, securing the top spot with 97 seats.
The National Rally of Independents, which led the current governing coalition, finished second with 66 seats. Meanwhile, the Istiqlal party maintained its third-place standing by capturing 65 seats, according to the official data.
Did you know? King Mohammed VI will select a figure from the winning party to form the government, which will manage the final stages of an infrastructure plan tied to the 2030 World Cup.
Opposition Gains and Left-Wing Results
The Islamist Justice and Development party emerged as the leading opposition force. The party secured 54 seats, marking a sharp rebound from the 13 seats it won in the previous election. Party leader Abdelilah Benkirane attributed the surge to his return to the political forefront, though he also complained that some polling station chiefs refused to hand over tally sheets to party monitors.
Among left-wing organizations, the Socialist Union of Popular Forces won 26 seats. The Party of Progress and Socialism captured 19 seats, and the Federation of the Democratic Left secured eight seats.
Turnout Hits Historic Low Amid Economic Pressures
Voter turnout dropped to 39 percent, marking the lowest participation rate since the 2007 elections, when 37 percent of registered voters cast ballots. The election took place against a backdrop of public concern over purchasing power, social inequality, and joblessness.
Official statistics peg the national unemployment rate at 9.5 percent for the second quarter of 2026, while youth unemployment remains significantly higher at roughly 27 percent. The campaign also followed an incident weeks prior where approximately 70,000 people attempted to cross into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta.
Potential Leadership and Coalition Outlook
Because no single party won an absolute majority of the 395 parliamentary seats, the Authenticity and Modernity party must build a new coalition. The party campaigned without a single frontrunner, instead managed by three key officials: Fatima Zahra Mansouri, Faouzi Lekjaa, and Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid.
Fatima Zahra Mansouri, who serves as minister of national territory planning and mayor of Marrakech, is widely viewed as the most likely candidate to lead the government. If appointed by King Mohammed VI, she would become the second female prime minister in the Arab region, following Najla Bouden in Tunisia.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the legislative elections in Morocco?
The Authenticity and Modernity party won the most seats with 97, followed by the National Rally of Independents with 66 seats.
What is the voter turnout percentage?
Turnout reached 39 percent, representing the lowest level recorded since 2007.
How many seats are in the Moroccan parliament?
The parliament consists of 395 representatives.
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