In a historic move, King Mohammed VI of Morocco has appointed Fatima Zahra El Mansouri as the country's first female prime minister. El Mansouri, born on January 3, 1976, in Marrakech, has a strong background in law, having obtained a degree in Anglo-Saxon law from the American University of Paris and a diploma in business contract law from the University of Montpellier in France.
El Mansouri has had an extensive career in politics and law, starting as a lawyer in the Marrakech Bar Association since March 22, 2005, specializing in real estate law. She began her political career by joining the Movement for All Democrats in 2007 and was a founding member of the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) in 2008. The PAM won the recent parliamentary elections, securing the top spot.
El Mansouri has held several notable positions, including president of the Marrakech City Council from 2009 to 2015 and deputy parliamentarian from 2011 to 2016. She also served as president of the National Council of the Authenticity and Modernity Party from 2015 to 2024 and was re-elected as a deputy parliamentarian from 2016 to 2021. Currently, she is the president of the Marrakech City Council and the coordinator of the collective leadership of the Authenticity and Modernity Party.
El Mansouri's appointment as prime minister marks a significant milestone in Morocco's history, reflecting the country's progress in promoting women's participation in politics. She was recognized as one of the 20 most influential young women in Africa by Forbes magazine in 2014 and was also selected as one of the global young leaders in the same year.
The Moroccan government has seen the appointment of several women to high-ranking positions, particularly during King Mohammed VI's reign. Notable examples include the late Zlikha Nassiri, who served as the first female advisor to the king, and Zainab El Adawi, who presides over the Supreme Council of Accounts.
El Mansouri's background in law and her experience in politics make her well-suited for the role of prime minister. Her appointment is seen as a step forward for women's representation in Moroccan politics and a reflection of the country's efforts to promote gender equality.
The appointment of El Mansouri as prime minister has been met with attention from various sectors, given her extensive experience in law, politics, and her current influential positions. Her leadership is expected to bring new perspectives to the role and contribute to Morocco's continued progress in promoting women's participation in politics and government.
Key points
- Morocco's King Mohammed VI appoints Fatima Zahra El Mansouri as the country's first female prime minister.
- El Mansouri has a strong background in law and has held several notable positions in politics.
- Her appointment marks a significant milestone in Morocco's history, reflecting the country's progress in promoting women's participation in politics.
