Disillusioned young voters in Morocco are being targeted by political campaigns that use football slogans, promises of creating one million jobs, and anti-Israel rhetoric in the run-up to Wednesday's parliamentary elections. For many young Moroccans, politics is seen as disconnected from their daily struggles. Siham Azeroual, a 32-year-old environmental activist from the Atlas region, told the BBC, "I have no hope for this election. I'm ashamed of our political scene. It's a complete circus." The election results will determine the composition of the next government, just weeks after 60,000 people attempted to cross from Morocco to the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, a move highlighting the lack of opportunities many young people feel at home. Morocco is a constitutional monarchy where political parties compete for 395 seats in the House of Representatives, the legislative body. However, executive power is closely tied to the monarchy. King Mohammed VI, who is 63, appoints the prime minister from the party that wins the most votes, but also oversees the Council of Ministers, the country's main policy-making body. The current campaign follows a wave of protests by young people in September 2025, sparked by issues like unemployment, healthcare, and rising living costs. Demonstrators chanted slogans such as "freedom, dignity, and social justice," which later evolved into "get out Akhannouch," a call for the resignation of current Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch. More than 2,400 people were prosecuted following the unrest. Despite the crackdown, some young activists are choosing to enter politics. Hamza El Kharroubi, 29, was briefly arrested during the protests. Now, he is running for parliament with the Environment and Sustainable Development Party, which focuses on green policies. His goal is to secure a voice in parliament to work toward 2031. Fouzi Lekjaa, head of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation and a senior politician in the finance ministry, has become a prominent figure in the political race. Known for his role in elevating Morocco's national football team, Lekjaa has joined the centrist Party of Authenticity and Modernity (Pam) and is a major campaign figure. His rallies have gone viral, with crowds chanting "Sir," a phrase in Moroccan Arabic that references the team's historic 2022 World Cup run. Lekjaa has promised to improve education and healthcare in Morocco, aiming to match the FIFA rankings of the national football team. Pam is competing against 26 other parties, including the National Rally of Independents (RNI), led by Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, who is seeking a second term. RNI has renewed its promise to create one million jobs by 2031. Political analyst Rachid Aourraz from the Moroccan Institute for Policy Analysis (MIPA) is skeptical about this goal, noting that the slogan has been overused and that structural challenges prevent the creation of stable jobs. He adds that major parties are not competing on new models but on how to implement policies aligned with the royal vision. The Islamist Justice and Development Party (PJD) is also seeking to make a political comeback by focusing on anti-Israeli sentiments. Morocco normalized relations with Israel in 2020 as part of the Abraham Accords, but the PJD, led by former Prime Minister Abdelilah Benkirane, is campaigning to end these ties, calling the move a "mistake." Despite protests against the Israeli diplomatic presence, especially during the Gaza war, Morocco and Israel have agreed to open full embassies in each other's countries, following recent diplomatic meetings. More than half of Morocco's 38.8 million population is under 35, but only 4% of registered voters are between 18 and 24. Hiba, a 27-year-old Moroccan living in Canada, noted that the campaigns have not changed much. She co-organized Gen Z protests in Montreal, where young Moroccans could express their concerns more freely. She mentioned that she would have voted if she could find a proxy in Morocco, as that is how the diaspora can cast ballots. She feels the protests have had an impact, leading to more youth representation on state television. Azeroual, the environmental activist, agrees that the protests have made a difference but believes that change must come from a multifaceted approach. She suggests that young people should focus on building communities at the local level before aiming for political office. Despite her skepticism about the political campaigns, she plans to vote in her local polling station.