Moroccan youth discuss politics but disengage from parties, study finds

A recent international conference in Casablanca, organized by LOGOS, a research laboratory at Hassan II University, explored the paradox of youth political engagement in Morocco. While 87% of young people discuss politics, 84% have no affiliation with a political party. This highlights a crisis of trust as the 2026 legislative elections approach. Professor Mustapha Raoud emphasized that political participation means "having or taking one's share" and contributing to the common good. Professor Jaouad Bennis, director of LOGOS, noted a historical trend of increasing abstention in Morocco, reaching 63% in 2007. He identified three contributing factors: a distanced relationship with the political field, distrust of parties, and gender inequalities. The 2021 election saw a 51% participation rate, a relative increase attributed to simultaneous communal and regional elections. Bennis stressed that restoring trust requires more than just legal reforms. He observed that political communication in Morocco is often intermittent and disconnected from social realities and citizens' expectations. He argued for rekindling political efficacy and identification, as voting is influenced by an individual's integration into their political ecosystem. Saad Jafri, a doctor in information and communication sciences and editor-in-chief of "L'Opinion," presented findings from a survey of university students. His research showed that 89% are interested in national politics, 82% in international geopol