Morocco's ambassador to the United States, Youssef El Amrani, has described the appointment of Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri as the country's first woman Head of Government as a "historical milestone." El Amrani linked the appointment to over two decades of political and legal reforms in Morocco. King Mohammed VI appointed El Mansouri on September 27, 2026, tasking her with forming the new government. This move came six days after the September 23 legislative elections, in which her Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) won 97 of the 395 seats in the House of Representatives.
The appointment of El Mansouri as Head of Government is in line with Article 47 of the Constitution, which states that the King appoints the Head of Government from the party that wins the most seats. El Amrani noted that the King has upheld "the letter and the spirit" of the Constitution with this appointment. He attributed the milestone to more than 20 years of reforms, citing the 2004 Family Code and equality provisions included in the 2011 Constitution. These reforms have contributed to the growing role of women in Morocco's political institutions.
The number of women lawmakers in Morocco has significantly increased over the years, rising from two in 1993 to 96 in 2021. El Amrani said this growth is a reflection of Morocco's path towards stability and progress through the normal functioning of its strong institutions. He emphasized that the responsibility now is to turn the historic appointment into daily progress for Moroccans, making what is historic today become natural tomorrow.
El Mansouri herself addressed the significance of her appointment after meeting with the King at the Royal Palace in Rabat. She described the moment as "historic," noting that it is the first time a woman has been appointed to lead the Moroccan government. El Mansouri said the appointment is a source of pride for her and for Moroccan women. She also announced that she would begin consultations within PAM before meeting with other political parties to form the new government.
The new head of government pledged to develop a program offering "real and practical solutions" to address the major expectations of citizens, particularly young people. El Mansouri's appointment marks a first in Morocco's political history as she prepares to assemble the country's next government. Her party, PAM, won 97 seats in the House of Representatives, making it the party with the most seats.
The appointment of El Mansouri has drawn attention to the growing role of women in Morocco's political institutions. This development is seen as a significant step towards gender equality in the country. El Amrani's comments highlight the importance of the appointment, not just for El Mansouri but for Moroccan women in general.
As El Mansouri begins her tenure as Head of Government, she faces the task of forming a new government that meets the expectations of Moroccan citizens. With her appointment, Morocco has made history, and El Mansouri's success will be closely watched by citizens and international observers alike.
Key points
- The appointment of Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri as Morocco's first woman Head of Government marks a significant milestone in the country's political history.
- The appointment reflects over 20 years of reforms in Morocco, including the 2004 Family Code and equality provisions in the 2011 Constitution.
- El Mansouri's appointment has drawn attention to the growing role of women in Morocco's political institutions, with the number of women lawmakers increasing from two in 1993 to 96 in 2021.
