Morocco Election 2026: PAM Leads With 97 Seats as Parliament Map Shifts
Morocco’s Authenticity and Modernity Party won the largest number of seats in the country’s parliamentary election, taking 97 seats in the 395-member House of Representatives, according to provisional results announced by the Interior Ministry.
The Morocco election 2026 also brought a major rebound for the Justice and Development Party, while the National Rally of Independents lost the leading position it secured five years ago. National turnout stood at about 38%.
Morocco election 2026: How many seats did each party win?
The Authenticity and Modernity Party, known as PAM, took 97 seats, according to provisional results.
The National Rally of Independents, or RNI, secured 66 seats, followed closely by the Istiqlal Party with 65.
The Justice and Development Party, or PJD, won 54 seats.
- PAM: 97 seats.
- RNI: 66 seats.
- Istiqlal: 65 seats.
- PJD: 54 seats.
No party secured an outright majority in the 395-seat chamber, making a coalition necessary to form the next government.
PAM moves into first place
PAM was the second-largest member of the outgoing government coalition but moved into first place in the 2026 election.
Reuters reported that the party increased its representation from 87 seats in 2021 to 97.
The result gives PAM a central role in the government formation process, although it will need coalition partners to secure a parliamentary majority.
RNI falls to second place
The National Rally of Independents, which led the outgoing government, won 66 seats.
RNI had finished first in the 2021 election and subsequently headed a coalition with PAM and Istiqlal.
Reuters reported that PAM ruled out renewing the same coalition during the campaign, leaving the composition of the next governing alliance open.
PJD rebounds from 13 to 54 seats
The Justice and Development Party recorded one of the election’s largest changes.
The party won 54 seats after securing only 13 in the 2021 election.
PJD previously led Morocco’s government for two consecutive terms before its sharp defeat five years ago.
Its increased representation does not by itself determine whether it will participate in the next government, which will depend on coalition negotiations.
Istiqlal takes 65 seats
The Istiqlal Party secured 65 seats and remained one of the country’s largest parliamentary forces.
Istiqlal was also part of the outgoing governing coalition.
Turnout falls to about 38%
National voter turnout was approximately 38%, according to official figures.
That was down from about 50% in the 2021 election, with the Associated Press describing it as Morocco’s lowest parliamentary election turnout since 2007.
Turnout was closely watched after youth-led protests and growing public debate over jobs, wages, education, healthcare and living costs.
What happens next?
Morocco’s constitution requires the king to appoint the head of government from the political party that finishes first in elections for the House of Representatives, based on the election results.
With PAM leading the provisional tally, the party moves into the center of the government formation process.
However, its 97 seats are well short of an outright parliamentary majority, meaning coalition negotiations will be necessary.
No final coalition or head of government has yet been determined.
The next government and the 2030 World Cup
The incoming government will oversee a critical phase of Morocco’s preparations to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup with Spain and Portugal.
Reuters reported that roughly $20 billion in investment is tied to the country’s World Cup preparation drive.
The government will also face domestic pressure over employment, wages, education, healthcare and regional development.
Youth concerns remain central
The election followed a period of heightened youth discontent over employment opportunities, living costs and public services.
Young Moroccans have also been at the center of debates over migration and economic opportunity after protests and attempts to cross into the Spanish territory of Ceuta.
Coalition talks begin after the vote
Once the results are finalized, attention will turn to negotiations over a governing majority.
The leading party will need agreements with other parliamentary groups to assemble enough seats to support a government and its legislative program.
Profile News continues to track developments through its 24-hour breaking news page.
Sources
- Reuters — PAM tops Morocco’s parliamentary election
- Associated Press — Morocco parliamentary election
- Associated Press — Morocco provisional election results
