Morocco has appointed Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri as its first woman prime minister, marking a significant milestone in the country's political history. El Mansouri, a 50-year-old lawyer and experienced politician, was appointed by King Mohammed VI on September 29, 2026. Her appointment comes after her Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) emerged as the largest party in Morocco's September 23 parliamentary election, winning 97 seats.
El Mansouri's appointment makes her the first woman to occupy the position of head of government in Morocco since the country's modern government system was established. She is also only the second woman to lead a government in the Arab world, following Tunisia's Najla Bouden, who served as Tunisia's prime minister from 2021 to 2023. El Mansouri's rise to the position is a significant achievement, particularly in a region where women's representation in politics has been limited.
El Mansouri's party, PAM, won the largest number of seats in Morocco's 395-member House of Representatives, but fell short of securing a majority. As a result, El Mansouri will need to negotiate with other political parties to form a coalition government. Under Morocco's constitutional system, the king appoints the head of government from the political party that wins the most seats in the House of Representatives.
El Mansouri has held several prominent positions in Moroccan public life, including serving as minister responsible for national planning, urban planning, housing, and urban policy. She has also served as mayor of Marrakesh, a position she first won in 2009, making her the city's first woman mayor. She later returned to the position in 2021. El Mansouri is also a senior figure in PAM, a liberal-centrist party founded in 2008.
The appointment of El Mansouri comes at a significant moment for Morocco, with the new government expected to address economic pressures, unemployment, and public concerns over living standards. The government will also oversee preparations for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which Morocco will co-host with Spain and Portugal. The tournament is expected to involve major infrastructure and investment projects across the country.
The September 23 election recorded a turnout of about 38%, down from roughly 50% in the previous parliamentary election. The low turnout came amid concerns about economic conditions and frustration among parts of Morocco's population, particularly young people. El Mansouri now faces the task of turning her party's electoral lead into a functioning government.
Despite the challenges ahead, El Mansouri's appointment represents a major milestone in Moroccan political history. She will need to reach agreements with other parties before she can form her cabinet and begin governing. Her appointment has been hailed as a significant achievement for women's representation in politics in the Arab world.
Key points
- Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri is Morocco's first woman prime minister and only the second woman to lead a government in the Arab world.
- El Mansouri's party, PAM, won 97 seats in Morocco's parliamentary election, but will need to negotiate with other parties to form a coalition government.
- El Mansouri has held several prominent positions in Moroccan public life, including serving as minister responsible for national planning and mayor of Marrakesh.
