On September 29, 2026, King Mohammed VI of Morocco made a historic appointment by naming Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri as the country's new prime minister. This move marks a significant milestone in Moroccan politics, as El Mansouri becomes the first woman to hold this position. According to the royal palace, the king tasked El Mansouri with forming a new government following the legislative elections held on September 23, 2026.
The appointment of El Mansouri comes after her party, the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), emerged victorious in the legislative elections. The PAM secured 97 seats in the 395-member House of Representatives, making it the largest party in the parliament. However, the party did not achieve an absolute majority, which requires 198 seats. As a result, El Mansouri will need to engage in coalition-building with other parties to form a stable government.
Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri, aged 50, is a well-known figure in Moroccan politics. She has previously served as the minister of national territorial planning, urban planning, housing, and urban policy. El Mansouri has also held the position of mayor of Marrakech, one of Morocco's major cities. Her experience in government and local politics makes her a strong candidate to lead the country's new administration.
The PAM's victory in the legislative elections was followed by a statement from the Ministry of the Royal House, Protocol, and Chancellery. According to the statement, King Mohammed VI received El Mansouri at the Royal Palace in Rabat before entrusting her with the task of forming a new government. This move demonstrates the king's confidence in El Mansouri's ability to lead the country's next administration.
El Mansouri's appointment as prime minister is seen as a significant step towards increasing women's representation in Moroccan politics. Despite being a major player in the country's politics, women have historically held few leadership positions. El Mansouri's appointment is expected to inspire more women to participate in politics and take on leadership roles.
The new prime minister will face several challenges in forming a government, including negotiating with other parties to secure a coalition. The second-largest party, the National Rally of Independents (RNI), secured 66 seats, while the Istiqlal Party obtained 65 seats. El Mansouri will need to build a coalition that can command a majority in the parliament to ensure the stability of her government.
As El Mansouri begins her tenure as prime minister, she will need to address several pressing issues facing Morocco, including economic development, social reform, and regional security. With her experience in government and local politics, El Mansouri is well-positioned to tackle these challenges and lead Morocco towards a more prosperous future.
Key points
- Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri becomes Morocco's first female prime minister.
- The Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) wins the most seats in the legislative elections.
- El Mansouri will need to build a coalition to secure a majority in the parliament.
