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Amid the ongoing Gen Z 212 protests, former MP and left-wing figure Omar Balafrej has unexpectedly become a favorite among young Moroccans. In recent days, social media has been flooded with posts urging his return to politics, a surge of attention that culminated on Wednesday night when he appeared on the movement’s Discord podcast, drawing more than 10,000 listeners.
It was Balafrej’s first public appearance since the protests began, and though he insisted he has «quit politics» and he doesn't promise a return in the future, he said he felt a «duty to share [his] experience with young nationalists and activists who want change».
Balafrej told the young activists that seeing them mobilize online had struck a chord. He admitted that «when I saw you on Discord and YouTube, I realized something new was happening in Morocco, a generation I knew nothing about, but one that comes with new energy and a sense of responsibility».
From political silence to digital spotlight
The former parliamentarian, who once represented the Federation of the Democratic Left, praised the youth’s engagement with social issues, particularly healthcare, describing it as «the straw that broke the camel’s back this summer». He commended them for daring to speak out, saying that «many Moroccans have been unhappy for years but unable to speak up collectively». «You managed to do that, and that’s already a victory».
Asked if he had ever faced pressure while in Parliament, Balafrej said he had not. «No one ever told me what to say or not to say», he recalled, adding that the real issue was MPs who «censor themselves to protect their interests». He criticized how some lawmakers «speak for their businesses rather than for citizens», citing the 2018 boycott crisis as an example.
He went on to recall proposing a «general pardon law» for detained activists, including those from the Rif movement, stressing that «their place is in politics, not in prison».
On economic justice, Balafrej reiterated one of his long-standing ideas: «a 0.5% wealth tax could help fund health and education. It’s not much, but it’s always rejected in the political debate». He also lamented the lack of new political forces since the 2011 Constitution, noting that «since 2011, only one new political party has been created. We need new faces, new energy. The law makes it hard to create parties, and the existing ones don’t want competition».
A priorities problem
Asked about the current government’s record, he criticized its focus on large-scale projects, saying that «if you can build a grand stadium in record time but can’t provide running water in 5,000 schools, that’s a problem of priorities, not resources».
When questioned about a hypothetical return to politics, Balafrej didn’t hesitate: «if I ever led a government, my first act would be national reconciliation, release all detainees, end the harassment of journalists, and make dialogue the norm, not the exception».
Balafrej’s name has resurfaced during the recent Gen Z 212 protests in Morocco, a youth-led movement that began in late September calling for stronger public healthcare, better education, and more jobs. In an open letter to the King, the movement urged the government to resign and demanded action against corruption.
The group, which plans to continue demonstrating this week, announced it will pause protests on Friday as a gesture of respect for King Mohammed VI’s upcoming speech at the opening of the new parliamentary year.
