Rabat, Morocco — In a rare and closely watched address on October 10, 2025, King Mohammed VI of Morocco stood before parliament at a moment of extraordinary national tension. The monarch, long known for his reserved public presence, was thrust into the spotlight as a wave of youth-led protests—fueled by frustration over economic inequality and government spending priorities—swept across more than a dozen cities. The stakes for this annual parliamentary inauguration, typically a formality, had never been higher.
Since late September, the so-called "Gen Z 212" movement—named after Morocco’s international dialing code—has mobilized thousands of young Moroccans through social media platforms like TikTok and Discord. Their grievances are clear: while billions are being poured into preparations for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, the nation’s schools and hospitals remain chronically underfunded. Their demands, delivered in a letter sent directly to the royal palace, include the dismissal of Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch and his government, the release of political detainees, and the creation of a forum to hold corrupt officials accountable.
“We, the youth of Morocco, are requesting your majesty to intervene for a profound and just reform that restores rights and punishes the corrupt,” the group wrote, as reported by the Associated Press. The letter, while deferential, broke with the tradition of keeping Morocco’s king above the political fray—a move that both underscores the protesters’ faith in the 62-year-old monarch’s power and highlights the country’s delicate political balances. As Abdeslam Maghraoui, a political scientist at Duke University, observed, “People are saying 'Long live the king,' but also showing they know he’s responsible and power lies in his hands.”
On the eve of the king’s speech, anticipation ran high. In Casablanca, 18-year-old college student Soufiane told the Associated Press, “We hope that it will mark a good omen for us, the Moroccan youth, and for all the Moroccans.” The sense of hope was mixed with impatience and a clear expectation for meaningful change.
In his address opening the final legislative year of the current parliamentary term, King Mohammed VI did not shy away from the core issues at hand. He called on lawmakers to dedicate themselves to “work, with a spirit of seriousness and responsibility, to complete legislative plans, implement open programs and projects, and to demonstrate vigilance and commitment in defending the causes of the citizens.” The king emphasized that there should be “no contradiction or competition between major national projects and social programs, as long as the goal is the development of the country and the improvement of the living conditions of its citizens, wherever they may be.”
Echoing themes from a speech delivered in July in Tetouan—a coastal town where he spends much of the summer—King Mohammed VI reiterated his rejection of a “two-speed country” marked by deepening inequality. “Regardless of the infrastructure built, and the level of economic development achieved, I would be satisfied only if our accomplishments contribute, in a tangible manner, to improving the living conditions of citizens from all social classes, and in all areas and regions,” he declared.
But the king’s message went beyond generalities. He urged parliamentarians and all political actors to improve communication about public initiatives and laws, especially those directly affecting citizens’ rights and freedoms. “This matter is not the responsibility of the government alone; rather, it is the responsibility of everyone, foremost among whom are you, the parliamentarians, because you represent the citizens,” he said, according to the official text of the royal speech. He also called for political parties, elected officials, the media, and civil society to play their part in informing and guiding the public.
King Mohammed VI’s speech also reflected on broader strategic priorities for Morocco’s future. He referenced his recent Throne Day speech, in which he called for accelerating the pace of what he described as the “emerging Morocco” and launching a new generation of territorial development programs. “Our country, thank God, is opening the door, through the dynamics we have launched, towards achieving greater social and spatial justice. We are also working to ensure that everyone benefits from the fruits of growth and from equal opportunities for the sons and daughters of a unified Morocco in various rights—political, economic, social, and others,” he said.
Among the king’s specific priorities: encouraging local initiatives and economic activities, providing job opportunities for youth, promoting education and health sectors, and advancing territorial upgrading. He stressed the need to combat inefficiency and waste in public investment, warning, “It is unacceptable to be lax about the efficiency and productivity of public investment.”
Particular attention, the king insisted, must be given to Morocco’s most vulnerable regions. He singled out mountainous areas, which cover 30% of the national territory, and oases, calling for “an integrated public policy that considers their specificities and their many assets.” He also emphasized the sustainable development of the national coasts and the expansion of programs for emerging rural centers—measures intended to manage urban expansion and bring essential administrative, social, and economic services closer to rural citizens.
“Social justice and the fight against spatial disparities are not merely empty slogans or a temporary priority whose importance might diminish according to circumstances; rather, we consider them a strategic orientation to which all actors must commit, and a vital stake that should govern various development policies,” King Mohammed VI told parliamentarians. He called for a culture of results, rooted in accurate data and digital technologies, and urged a “faster pace and a stronger impact” from new development programs.
As the king concluded his speech, he called on all political actors—government and parliament, majority and opposition alike—to “mobilize all energies and capabilities, and to prioritize the supreme interests of the nation and its citizens.” He invoked the need for integrity, commitment, and self-denial, reminding lawmakers of their responsibility to serve the homeland faithfully.
For Morocco’s Gen Z protesters and their supporters, the king’s words will be scrutinized for signs of genuine reform and responsiveness to grassroots demands. While some older dissidents and intellectuals argue that only deeper structural changes—not just a change in government—can address the “deep and structural causes of the anger shaking our country,” as cited by the Associated Press, the ball is now firmly in the court of Morocco’s political leadership.
As the country looks ahead to a year filled with both challenges and high expectations, the question remains: will the king’s call for unity, reform, and social justice be enough to bridge Morocco’s widening divides, or will the voices of its restless youth continue to echo through the streets?
