Casablanca political activity intensifies ahead of 2026 elections

Political activity is intensifying in Casablanca ahead of the legislative elections scheduled for September 23, 2026. In the influential Anfa constituency, several high-profile candidates have emerged, including Mohamed Chabbak for the National Rally of Independents, Najwa Koukous for the Authenticity and Modernity Party, and Abdelsamad Haykar for the Justice and Development Party. Other notable contenders include Nabila Mounib, Kenza Chraibi, Mohamed Benmoussa, and Hassan Barkani.

Local debates are centering on urban development and social issues, specifically the controversial ‘Royal Hedge’ project. Additionally, controversy has arisen regarding the management of local sports facilities. Some district and communal leaders have opted to keep neighborhood football pitches and sports halls open during August, contrary to previous years. This has led to allegations that public facilities are being used to benefit specific sports associations linked to political candidates, potentially serving as platforms for early campaigning and voter outreach to youth and local residents.