On September 29, 2026, King Mohammed VI of Morocco appointed Fatima Zahra El Mansouri as the country's first female prime minister. El Mansouri, a member of the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), was tasked with forming a new government after her party won 97 seats in the legislative elections. This appointment marked a significant milestone in Moroccan politics, as El Mansouri became the first woman to hold the position of prime minister in the country's history.
El Mansouri was born on January 3, 1976, in Marrakech, Morocco, to a prominent local family. Her father, Abdel Rahman El Mansouri, was a former pasha of Marrakech, a lawyer, and an ambassador to the United Arab Emirates. El Mansouri studied law in France and earned a degree from the University of Mohammed V in Rabat. She began her career as a lawyer in Marrakech in 2005, specializing in real estate law.
El Mansouri entered politics in 2007 through the movement "Per la Démocratie" and was one of the founders of the Authenticity and Modernity Party in 2008. In 2009, at the age of 33, she was elected president of the Marrakech City Council, becoming the first woman to hold the position. She has also served as a deputy in parliament and president of the National Council of her party from 2015 to 2024.
El Mansouri's political stance is characterized as social democratic and modernist. She emphasizes her independence and rejects being labeled as a "iron lady." Her party, the PAM, presents itself as a social democratic and modernist party. El Mansouri has expressed her commitment to issues such as women's rights and freedoms, and has highlighted the importance of good governance and competitiveness in the economy.
El Mansouri has been involved in several high-profile controversies, including the Tassaltant land affair, in which she and her siblings sold over 66 hectares of land on the outskirts of Marrakech for approximately 266 million dirhams. Her opponents accused her of exploiting her influence and converting agricultural land into real estate. El Mansouri responded that the land was a family inheritance and that the sale was legitimate.
As prime minister, El Mansouri faces several challenges, including criticism over her handling of the Marrakech city council and her party's involvement in several controversies. Her supporters praise her administrative skills and knowledge of institutions, while her critics argue that her record as a local leader has been disappointing. El Mansouri's appointment has sparked debate about the role of women in Moroccan politics and the future of the PAM party.
El Mansouri's next challenge will be to form a majority government and translate her party's platform into tangible results in areas such as housing, reconstruction, and governance. Her appointment has been seen as a significant step forward for women's representation in Moroccan politics, and her success will be closely watched by observers both within and outside Morocco.
Key points
- El Mansouri's appointment as prime minister marks a significant milestone in Moroccan politics, as she becomes the first woman to hold the position.
