The new parliament gets to work: a royal speech sets priorities, and Touizi is elected Speaker with 220 votes

Opening the legislature: what did the speech say?

On Friday 9 October 2026 in Rabat, King Mohammed VI presided over the opening of the first session of the first legislative year of the 12th legislature and addressed members of both houses . Its main points, in our words:

- Economic ambition: the new term should be a turning point towards making Morocco a rising, reliable economic power, balancing growth with social and territorial fairness.
- Strategic sectors: a new generation of major strategies for water, energy, food security, industry, the digital economy and artificial intelligence, faster infrastructure projects and larger strategic reserves of basic goods.
- Private sector: a call for businesses to lead in investment, jobs and exports.
- Youth: putting young people at the centre of public policy through a comprehensive approach to education, skills and economic integration.
- Regionalisation and de-concentration: delays in applying the de-concentration charter are unacceptable; powers and human and financial resources should move to regions and provinces.

The speech set no figures, budgets or deadlines and did not go into the formation of the government.

Electing the Speaker

On Tuesday 13 October, in a sitting chaired by the provisional bureau under Abdelaziz Aba of Istiqlal, PAM's Ahmed Touizi was elected Speaker of the House of Representatives :

- Ahmed Touizi: 220 votes
- Idriss El Azami El Idrissi (PJD, the opposition candidate): 59 votes
- Invalid ballots: 90
- Ballots cast: 369, of which 279 valid

Touizi led the PAM group in the previous term. He succeeds the RNI's Rachid Talbi Alami, Speaker throughout the 2021–2026 term.

Completing the structures

The next day, 14 October, the House elected its bureau and the chairs of its nine standing committees; the bureau slate received 293 of 295 votes . Highlights of the distribution:

- The eight deputy speakers come from across the groups, majority and opposition, with Mustapha Baitas (RNI) as first deputy.
- The Finance and Economic Development Committee is chaired by Hicham El Mahajri (PAM).
- The Justice, Legislation and Human Rights Committee is chaired by Mohamed Ghayath (RNI).

According to the same source, posts were shared in proportion to the parliamentary groups.

Why it matters

With a Speaker, a bureau and committees in place, the House is ready to receive and vote on the government programme and to examine the 2027 finance bill.

What we do not know yet

- When the government programme will be presented and the investiture vote held; the cabinet had not been appointed by 16 October 2026.
- The outcome of election appeals before the Constitutional Court, which could change some seats.