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    "original_url": "https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/commentisfree\/2026\/sep\/29\/the-guardian-view-on-moroccos-election-hosting-a-world-cup-will-not-placate-a-disillusioned-generation?utm_source=cnn_Global+Briefing&utm_medium=email",
    "parsed_content": "The site of the new Grand Stade Hassan II stadium development near Casablanca, built to host games in the 2030 Fifa World Cup, 3 January 2026. Photograph: Paul Ellis\/AFP\/GettyView image in fullscreenThe site of the new Grand Stade Hassan II stadium development near Casablanca, built to host games in the 2030 Fifa World Cup, 3 January 2026. Photograph: Paul Ellis\/AFP\/GettyOpinionMoroccoThe Guardian view on Morocco\u2019s election: hosting a World Cup will not placate a disillusioned generationEditorialA year after mass protests demanding a change in political priorities, gen Z opted out of last week\u2019s poll en masseTue 29 Sep 2026 14.22 EDTLast modified on Tue 29 Sep 2026 18.44 EDTShareThe spectacle of young migrants swimming en masse from Moroccan waters to the Spanish exclave of Ceuta\u00a0exposed the frustration felt by a generation. One-third of the population of Morocco is aged between 15 and 30, and more than one third of that cohort is unemployed. A dearth of opportunity at home incentivises young men in particular to take huge risks to reach the European Union. More than 100\u00a0people died in that attempted exodus, most of them by\u00a0drowning.Worryingly, an adequate domestic response to a huge generational challenge is a long way off, if Morocco\u2019s latest parliamentary election serves as any\u00a0guide. In the wake of the Arab spring, democratising reforms were introduced to Morocco\u2019s monarchical system. But a decade and a half after that\u00a0supposedly transformative moment, last week\u2019s\u00a0poll laid bare an alarming collapse of trust in\u00a0politics among the young.Overall turnout among those who had registered to\u00a0vote was a miserable 38% \u2013 the lowest for two decades. But among those under 35, the election was\u00a0in\u00a0effect ignored, with only 19% bothering to register. In total, less than one in four Moroccans of voting age cast a ballot, as a centre-right coalition led\u00a0by the Authenticity and Modernity party held on\u00a0to\u00a0power. In what is essentially a hybrid democracy,\u00a0where King\u00a0Mohammed VI retains a dominant role, such numbers suggest grave problems\u00a0may be being stored up for the future.View image in fullscreenFouzi Lekjaa. Photograph: Jalal Morchidi\/EPAThe lack of youthful participation should not be mistaken for apathy and indifference. Exactly a year ago, a gen Z protest movement organised the largest demonstrations since 2011, focused on demands for investment in public goods such as health and education. The demonstrators also gave voice to widespread anger at the vast sums of government money being diverted to preparations for the 2030 Fifa World Cup, which Morocco will host alongside Spain and Portugal. One popular chant in the streets was \u201cHealthcare first \u2013 we don\u2019t want the World Cup\u201d. Rattled authorities subsequently made thousands of arrests, amid allegations of brutal beatings. Hundreds remain in prison.As the young have more or less opted out of mainstream politics, lip service is paid to the need to encourage their greater participation. But there is little chance that the king and his incoming administration will act on demands to shift resources from a World Cup primarily set to benefit big cities and an insider elite. The International Monetary Fund has calculated that expenditure on the tournament could amount to almost 12% of Morocco\u2019s 2024 GDP, and preparations are set to dominate the country\u2019s politics throughout the next parliament. The head of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, Fouzi Lekjaa, is widely tipped\u00a0to be the next prime minister, having joined\u00a0the Authenticity and Modernity party a few\u00a0weeks before the election.In Ceuta, a humanitarian emergency continues to unfold as thousands languish in a tented camp in the port area of the territory. In four years\u2019 time, Morocco will be the focus of global attention and the\u00a0Grand Stade Hassan II, projected to be the world\u2019s biggest football stadium with a capacity of 115,000, could conceivably be hosting the World Cup final. But among the country\u2019s disillusioned young, the frustrated desire is for less circus, more bread and far better prospects.\n \n Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here.\nExplore more on these topicsMoroccoOpinionMiddle East and north AfricaAfricaWorld Cup 2030Arab and Middle East unrestYoung peopleProtesteditorialsShareReuse this contentMost viewedPolice search for additional victims as two bodies discovered in CaliforniaNurse charged with helping man in hospital escape from ICE custodyHegseth confirms plan to cut 20% of US top military brass and rails at \u2018beardos, weirdos and wimps\u2019\u2018The Savage Skulls were the most dangerous gang in the Bronx\u2019: Jean-Pierre Laffont\u2019s best photograph Iranian singer\u2019s 74 lashes for performing without a hijab \u2018a form of torture\u2019, say rights groups",
    "published_at": "2026-09-29T18:22:41+00:00",
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    "ai_headline": "The Guardian view on Morocco\u2019s election: hosting a World Cup will not placate a disillusioned generation",
    "ai_simplified_title": "Morocco Election: World Cup Will Not Placate Disillusioned Youth",
    "ai_excerpt": "Morocco's recent parliamentary election saw low youth turnout, reflecting widespread disillusionment and anger over government priorities. Young people are frustrated by a lack of opportunity and the vast sums spent on the 2030 Fifa World Cup.",
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