For the first time in its history, Morocco has appointed a woman to lead its government. King Mohammed VI has named Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri, head of the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), to form a new government following the legislative elections on September 23.
At fifty years old, El Mansouri, a lawyer, mayor of Marrakech, and former Minister of Urban Planning, has reached the pinnacle of Moroccan politics after a career spanning local administration, parliament, and government roles.
The appointment follows the electoral success of the PAM, a centrist party traditionally aligned with the monarchy. The party secured 97 seats in the House of Representatives, becoming the largest parliamentary force but falling short of the 198 seats needed for an absolute majority.
The new prime minister's first task will be political rather than programmatic: to find allies to build a coalition capable of supporting the government. One potential solution might involve reorganizing the alliance that has governed the country in recent years, although negotiations between parties will be crucial in determining the government's composition and priorities.
The PAM has expressed its willingness to engage with other political forces. However, some parties have already chosen a different path. The Justice and Development Party, with a moderate Islamist orientation, and the Federation of Democratic Left have ruled out joining the majority and announced plans to remain in opposition.
Link to From Marrakech to National LeadershipFrom Marrakech to National Leadership
El Mansouri has been part of the PAM almost since its inception. The party was founded in 2008 by Fouad Ali El Himma, a figure closely associated with the king. By 2024, she had risen to the top of the party, solidifying a national profile built through administrative and parliamentary experience.
With a law degree from the University of Montpellier in France, El Mansouri served two terms as mayor of Marrakech and was also a member of parliament. She comes from a family well-known in Moroccan institutional circles; her father, Abderrahmane El Mansouri, was a high-ranking local official and Morocco's ambassador to the United Arab Emirates.
Throughout her career, she has faced controversies over alleged conflicts of interest in real estate dealings in Marrakech, stemming from accusations spread by unidentified hackers. El Mansouri has consistently denied these claims, calling them defamatory, and has taken legal action.
Link to The First Woman to Lead the Moroccan GovernmentThe First Woman to Lead the Moroccan Government
The symbolic significance of her appointment extends beyond the internal dynamics of the Kingdom. El Mansouri becomes the first woman to hold the position of head of government in Morocco's history and the second in the Arab world after Tunisia's Najla Bouden.
This transition occurs within the institutional framework set by the Moroccan Constitution. Following the 2011 reform, introduced amid the Arab Spring protests, the king appoints the head of government from the party that wins the most seats in the House of Representatives. Previously, the king had more freedom in this choice.
For El Mansouri, the historical significance of her role is accompanied by a range of immediate, concrete challenges.
The upcoming government will need to address economic and social issues that dominated the electoral debate, from inflation to purchasing power, including wages and employment. Additionally, there are major infrastructure investments related to the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which Morocco will co-host with Spain and Portugal.
(Associated Medias) - All rights reserved