On September 29, 2026, King Mohammed VI of Morocco appointed Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri as the country's new prime minister. El Mansouri, the national coordinator of the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), was tasked with forming a new government after her party's victory in the legislative elections held the previous week. This appointment marks a significant milestone in Moroccan history, as El Mansouri becomes the first woman to assume the role of prime minister.
El Mansouri's PAM party secured 97 seats out of 395 in the House of Representatives during the elections, which saw a record-low turnout of 38%. As a center-right party, PAM was part of the outgoing coalition government. With no party achieving an absolute majority, El Mansouri will need to form a coalition with other parties to govern for the next five years. The king will retain significant influence over strategic sectors.
El Mansouri, 50, expressed her pride and gratitude to the king for the appointment. She emphasized that this moment is not only a personal achievement but also a milestone for all Moroccan women. El Mansouri has a background in law and previously served as the mayor of Marrakech from 2009 to 2021. She also held the position of Minister of Housing in the outgoing government of Aziz Akhannouch.
As prime minister, El Mansouri will face significant challenges, including addressing socio-economic issues such as high unemployment and inequality, particularly among young people. The PAM party campaigned on promises of 5% annual economic growth, maintaining inflation at 2%, and creating at least one million jobs during its term. El Mansouri will need to work towards restoring public trust in government and delivering on these campaign promises.
The legislative elections were marked by widespread skepticism towards the political class and concerns about the country's economic and social challenges. The influx of migrants to the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in July highlighted the need for solutions to address the aspirations of Moroccan youth. El Mansouri emphasized her commitment to developing concrete and realistic solutions to address citizens' concerns.
The PAM party's coalition partners will play a crucial role in shaping the government's agenda. The National Rally of Independents (RNI), led by outgoing Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, secured 66 seats, while the Istiqlal Party obtained 65 seats. The Justice and Development Party (PJD), an Islamist party, quadrupled its seats to 54 but has ruled out joining the majority coalition.
El Mansouri's appointment has been hailed as a historic moment for Morocco. She will need to navigate the complexities of coalition politics and deliver on her party's campaign promises to ensure the success of her government. The international community has taken note of this significant development, with many observers watching closely to see how El Mansouri's leadership will impact Morocco's future.
Key points
- Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri becomes Morocco's first female prime minister.
- El Mansouri's PAM party secured 97 seats in the House of Representatives.
- She will need to form a coalition government to address socio-economic challenges.
