Morocco is set to begin a new parliamentary chapter on Friday, October 9, when King Mohammed VI presides over the opening of the first session of the first legislative year of the country’s 12th Legislature.
The opening ceremony will be held at the Parliament building, according to an announcement from the Ministry of the Royal Household, Protocol and Chancellery.
The monarch is expected to address lawmakers from both chambers of Parliament — the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors — during the session. His speech will be broadcast live on Moroccan radio and television from 3:45 p.m. local time.
New Parliament Takes Shape After September Election
Friday’s ceremony follows Morocco’s September 23 legislative elections, in which voters elected all 395 members of the House of Representatives.
The election marked the beginning of the country’s 12th legislature and produced a new political balance in the lower chamber. According to election data compiled by the Inter-Parliamentary Union, the newly elected parliament is scheduled to hold its first session on October 9.
The Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) emerged as the largest political force after securing 97 seats. The National Rally of Independents (RNI) followed with 66 seats, while the Istiqlal Party won 65.
The Justice and Development Party (PJD), which experienced a major decline in the previous election, recovered some ground by taking 54 seats.
However, no political party secured the 198 seats required for an outright majority in the 395-member House. This means coalition negotiations will be central to the formation and operation of the new government.
El Mansouri’s Historic Government Role
The new parliamentary period also comes after a significant political development in Morocco.
King Mohammed VI appointed Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri as head of government on September 29 after PAM emerged from the election with the largest number of seats.
Her appointment made her the first woman to serve as Morocco’s head of government, adding an important dimension to the political transition following the election.
El Mansouri now faces the challenge of building a governing coalition capable of securing parliamentary support. Her party’s 97 seats fall well short of the majority threshold, making cooperation with other political groups necessary.
Coalition-building is expected to shape the direction of the new administration as it prepares to address economic and social concerns while continuing major national development programmes.
Key Issues Facing the New Legislature
The new Parliament will take office at a time when Morocco is balancing ambitious development plans with growing economic and social pressures.
Among the major priorities will be employment, public services, economic reforms and living-cost concerns. The government will also oversee preparations for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which Morocco is co-hosting with Spain and Portugal.
The September election recorded a turnout of about 38%, significantly below the 50.35% recorded in 2021. The lower participation has placed renewed attention on public engagement and confidence in the political process.
The new administration will therefore have to navigate both institutional responsibilities and public expectations as it begins its term.
Royal Speech Expected to Set the Tone
King Mohammed VI’s address on Friday is likely to attract considerable attention because it will formally mark the beginning of the new legislative cycle.
The royal speech will be delivered before representatives from both parliamentary chambers, giving the monarch an opportunity to outline broad national priorities at the start of the new political period.
The address will also come shortly after the formation of a new political landscape following September’s election and El Mansouri’s historic appointment as head of government.
For lawmakers, the ceremony represents the formal start of their legislative responsibilities. For the government, it comes as coalition discussions and policy priorities take shape.
Morocco Enters a New Political Phase
Friday’s parliamentary opening is more than a ceremonial event. It marks the beginning of a five-year legislative period that will coincide with several major projects and policy challenges facing Morocco.
With no single party controlling a majority in the House of Representatives, cooperation between political parties will be essential to passing legislation and sustaining the new government.
The opening of the 12th Legislature will therefore provide an early indication of the political direction Morocco intends to take as it moves toward 2030 and beyond.
King Mohammed VI’s speech, alongside the formation of the new government under El Mansouri, is expected to set the tone for this next phase of Morocco’s political and institutional development.
