Morocco's king names Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri as first woman prime minister

King Mohammed VI appointed Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri as Morocco's prime minister on September 29, making her the first woman to lead a government in the country's history. The appointment followed parliamentary elections on September 23 in which her Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) won the most seats but fell short of a majority.

The election

According to the Moroccan government's official portal, the September 23 vote was the 12th legislative election since Morocco's independence, with 395 seats in the House of Representatives at stake and 15,801,162 registered voters. Twenty-eight parties took part.

PAM won 97 seats, according to Al Jazeera and France 24, far short of the 198 needed for an outright majority. The National Rally of Independents (RNI) came second with 66 seats, and the Istiqlal party won 65 seats, France 24 reported. Al Jazeera noted the RNI had held 102 seats. The Justice and Development Party (PJD), a moderate Islamist party, won 54 seats, a comeback after its representation fell to 13 seats in 2021, according to Al Jazeera.

Turnout was 38 percent of registered voters, Al Jazeera reported. Analysts quoted by Al Jazeera linked the low engagement to "widespread disengagement following youth-led protests last year over jobs, healthcare and education".

Who is El Mansouri

El Mansouri, 50, was born in Marrakesh and studied law in France and the United States, according to Asharq Al-Awsat. She joined PAM in 2008 and became mayor of Marrakesh at 33. France 24 reported that she was the first woman to hold that post, winning it in 2009, losing it in 2015 and regaining it in 2021. She later served as minister of urban planning and housing and became PAM's coordinator in February 2024, Asharq Al-Awsat reported.

Al Jazeera reported that she is the third woman to serve as prime minister in the Arab world. "For the first time in our country's history, a woman is taking on the responsibility of leading the government," El Mansouri said, according to Al Jazeera.

Forming a government

The royal cabinet tasked El Mansouri with "forming the new government," France 24 reported. Because PAM lacks a majority, it will need to build a coalition with other parties. During the campaign, El Mansouri said: "Young people are going through a crisis and we must provide them with answers," adding that it was necessary to "restore their hope, not only through speeches, but through concrete solutions," according to France 24.

The new government will face unemployment, living costs and youth underemployment, and will oversee preparations for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which Morocco is co-hosting with Spain and Portugal, according to France 24 and Asharq Al-Awsat.

Why it matters

El Mansouri's appointment is a milestone for women's political leadership in Morocco and the wider region. Her coalition talks will determine the shape of the government that handles youth discontent, the cost of living and World Cup preparations over its five-year term.

Sources

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.