Morocco Elections 2026 — PML: concrete diaspora measures and an ambitious route to political representation

An MRE offer is beginning to emerge

The Moroccan Liberal Party, known by its French acronym PML, presented the main elements of its economic and social programme in Tetouan on 23 August. The measures reported for Moroccans abroad include their integration into public policy and development projects, lower travel and tourism-accommodation costs, and exemptions from certain taxes and fees.

This explicit reference is the first strength of the party’s offer. The diaspora is not framed solely as a source of remittances or capital, but also as a constituency that should be included in public action.

A second, more political strand appears in an article published on the party’s official website on 8 April. Written by Casablanca lawyer and PML political bureau member Leila Firouchane, it proposes either overseas constituencies or parliamentary seats reserved for Moroccans abroad. It also calls for a pilot electronic-voting scheme for MRE citizens.

The status of that text matters. It appears in the website’s “Opinions and Analysis” section and is not, on its own, a formally adopted chapter of the party manifesto. MMNEWS therefore treats it as a structured public position advanced from within the PML leadership, not as a fully binding electoral pledge.

Voting: moving beyond a digital proxy form

For the 23 September election, a registered Moroccan voter living abroad may create a voting proxy online. The appointed proxy must still cast the ballot in person in Morocco. The administrative form is digital; the vote remains indirect.

The proposal for an electronic-voting pilot addresses a genuine obstacle: the physical distance between voters abroad and polling stations. Its gradual approach is also sensible, as a pilot could be evaluated before any national rollout.

The next step would be to specify voter authentication, ballot secrecy, independent auditing, legal appeals, system resilience and cybersecurity safeguards. PML receives substantial credit for the direction of the proposal, but not the full score reserved for a legally and technically complete mechanism.

Representation: a clear idea that needs formal adoption

The contribution hosted by the PML presents two possible models: overseas electoral constituencies or a number of parliamentary seats reserved for the diaspora.

This is among the most structured MRE proposals identified by MMNEWS. It connects the right to vote with the ability to elect representatives familiar with cross-border taxation, social-security agreements, consular administration, cultural transmission and return to Morocco.

Implementation would require the party to choose between the two models and define the number of seats, geographical boundaries, registration rules, candidate eligibility and the relationship with the House of Representatives’ current 395 seats. Changes to electoral legislation would also be required. Even so, it is an identifiable institutional proposal rather than a generic statement about the diaspora’s importance.

Investment and development: natural territory for a liberal party

PML’s economic platform emphasises openness to new partners, foreign investment, and reform of the legislative and administrative environment. Its MRE measures include integrating Moroccans abroad into development projects.

That approach fits the party’s liberal identity and could appeal to entrepreneurs, executives, investors and project leaders in the diaspora. In practice, simpler procedures, legal predictability and shorter processing times may matter more than a one-off incentive.

The proposal would be stronger with a designated one-stop service, enforceable deadlines, an appeal procedure, regional support and measurable targets. MMNEWS therefore recognises a favourable economic direction while reserving higher marks for programmes that identify the delivery mechanism, responsible authority and timetable.

Mobility and taxation: visible measures that need targeting

PML has referred to reducing transport and accommodation costs and exempting Moroccans abroad from some taxes and fees.

These proposals are easy to understand and could support family visits, domestic tourism and a more regular relationship with Morocco. Their impact will depend on precise answers: which forms of transport, which accommodation providers, which taxes, who qualifies and how will the measures be funded?

A broad benefit based only on MRE status would also need to be assessed against equal-tax-treatment principles and its social effectiveness. Targeted assistance for low-income families, students, younger generations or productive investment would be easier to evaluate.

Areas that remain lightly developed

The accessible material provides limited detail on consular modernisation, social-security agreements, pension portability, administrative support for return, language and cultural transmission, or organised diaspora-skills programmes.

PML nevertheless acknowledges the diaspora’s role in remittances, investment, Morocco’s international reach and the transfer of expertise. That provides a useful foundation. The next step could include temporary expert missions, university and business partnerships, a skills platform or regional project contracts.

As of the date of this review, MMNEWS could not identify, in the sources consulted, a complete and publicly accessible official programme covering all nine MRE criteria in detail. This does not mean that PML has no programme: its economic priorities were publicly presented. It means that the available level of detail does not yet connect every proposal to a complete and verifiable delivery mechanism.

MMNEWS MRE score: 51%

Why 51%, and not more?

PML earns points by addressing two structural issues together: how Moroccans abroad can vote and how they can be represented in Parliament. Its economic programme also contains measures expressly directed at MRE citizens.

The score remains near the middle of the scale because the boldest ideas on voting and parliamentary seats come from an individual contribution published by a senior party member, not from a formal electoral chapter attributable to the party as a whole. Social, consular and intergenerational policies also remain underdeveloped in the accessible documents.

The MMNEWS verdict

The Moroccan Liberal Party has a more substantial diaspora offer than the party’s size might suggest. Its most valuable contribution is to connect parliamentary representation with a modernised voting system, while giving Moroccans abroad a place in its development vision.

To turn that direction into a measurable electoral contract, PML now needs to specify who would implement each measure, on what timetable and with which resources. The trajectory is positive: Moroccans abroad are treated as citizens, economic actors and development partners. The next step is to consolidate those ideas into a coherent set of official commitments.

MMNEWS MRE score: 51%.