The 2026 election: five takeaways

On 26 September 2026 the Interior Minister confirmed that the final legislative results matched the provisional ones announced on 24 September . Here is what the figures reveal.

Context The election came a year after the youth-led "GenZ 212" protests of September and October 2025, which demanded better health care, education and jobs, called for action against corruption and criticised public spending priorities. It was also held under a legal framework amended by Organic Law No. 53.25 of January 2026, which tightened candidacy rules, encouraged younger candidates and added safeguards for the integrity of the vote .

1. PAM finishes first for the first time The party won 97 seats, 10 more than in 2021, topping a legislative election for the first time since its founding in 2008 . Under Article 47 of the Constitution this opens the way for the Head of Government to come from its ranks .

2. The Head of Government’s party pays the price The RNI lost 36 seats (from 102 to 66), despite changing leaders in February 2026 when Mohamed Chaouki succeeded Aziz Akhannouch . It is a recurring pattern in Morocco: the party leading the government loses at the next vote, as happened to the USFP after the Alternance and to the PJD in 2021 .

3. The PJD is back The party rose from 13 seats to 54, the strongest comeback of the election . Although still far from its 2016 peak (125 seats), the result puts it back at the heart of Parliament .

4. Record abstention Turnout was just 38.08%, against 50.86% in 2021 — the second lowest since 1999 after 2007 (37%) . Analysts link this to dissatisfaction with established parties and to the economic situation .

5. A more fragmented Parliament Seats were spread across 14 parties and alliances. The Left Alliance achieved its current’s best result with 8 seats, while the Party of Equity and the Party of New Democrats entered Parliament . Still, the top three parties hold 228 seats — a comfortable majority if they choose to govern together again .