Morocco’s youth take Gen Z protest demands to the polls

Young candidates hope the election can turn youth frustration into political participation. Rabat, Morocco – Nearly a year ago, environmental entrepreneur Hamza El Kharroubi was protesting in the streets. This week, the 28-year-old is campaigning for a seat in parliament. Doing political canvassing in Tetouan, El Kharroubi says he is cautiously optimistic that more young Moroccans will win seats in parliament this year. He founded the Environment and Sustainability Party, seeking to channel growing youth engagement into formal politics. “The previous protests by Gen Z have sparked more youth engagement in political parties. We expect this year to have exceptional participation from youth, both in voting and campaigning,” he told Al Jazeera English.

The demonstrations came nearly a year before Wednesday’s parliamentary election. The nationwide demonstrations began on September 27, 2025, after anger over public healthcare, education, jobs and living conditions spread beyond earlier protests in Agadir. The unrest followed the deaths of eight women after Caesarean deliveries at a public hospital in the southern city, which became a flashpoint for wider grievances over public services. A leaderless movement calling itself GenZ 212 mobilised largely online through platforms including Discord, TikTok and Instagram, demanding better public healthcare and education, more job opportunities, and an end to corruption and what protesters saw as misplaced public spending. At least three people were