In a historic move, King Mohammed VI of Morocco has appointed Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri as the country's first female Prime Minister. El Mansouri, a 50-year-old lawyer and coordinator of the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), was tasked with forming a new government on September 29. She has been the mayor of Marrakech since 2009 and will now lead the government for the next five years. This appointment marks a significant milestone for women's representation in Moroccan politics.
El Mansouri's appointment comes after her party, PAM, won 97 seats in the 395-seat Chamber of Representatives in the September 23 legislative elections. However, the party did not secure an absolute majority, and El Mansouri will need to negotiate a coalition government to achieve a majority. The elections were marked by a historically low turnout of 38%, and the country is facing significant challenges, including high unemployment and persistent inequalities, particularly among young people.
The context in which El Mansouri takes office is challenging. The opposition Parti de la justice et du développement (PJD), an Islamist party, quadrupled its number of seats from 13 to 54, sending a warning signal to the new Prime Minister. El Mansouri's program is ambitious, with promises of 5% annual growth, maintaining inflation at 2%, and creating at least one million jobs over the next five years. She will need to deliver on these promises to restore trust in the government.
El Mansouri's background and experience make her well-suited for the role. As a lawyer and politician, she has been involved in Moroccan politics for many years. Her appointment as Prime Minister is seen as a significant step forward for women's representation in politics. According to the source, several people had been expecting this appointment, and King Mohammed VI has made it a reality.
The new Prime Minister will face significant challenges in forming a coalition government. With no party having an absolute majority, El Mansouri will need to negotiate with other parties to secure support for her program. This will require careful diplomacy and compromise, particularly given the complex and often contentious nature of Moroccan politics.
El Mansouri's relationship with other parties will be crucial in determining the success of her government. The PJD's significant gains in the elections suggest that they will be a key player in the negotiations. El Mansouri will need to balance the competing demands of different parties while delivering on her campaign promises.
The appointment of Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri as Prime Minister marks a significant moment in Moroccan history. Her success will depend on her ability to navigate the complex landscape of Moroccan politics and deliver on her ambitious program. With the right support and coalition, El Mansouri may be able to achieve her goals and restore trust in the government.
Key points
- Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri is Morocco's first female Prime Minister.
