In brief
Fatima Zahra El Mansouri, a former mayor of Marrakesh and seasoned minister, has been named Morocco’s first female prime minister after the Authenticity and Modernity Party secured the most seats in the recent parliamentary polls. Her appointment marks the second time a woman has led an Arab government, following Tunisia’s Najla Bouden. Although Morocco is a constitutional monarchy, the king’s choice of prime minister reflects the political realities of coalition politics, as El Mansouri’s party still lacks an absolute majority and will need to forge alliances to govern. The move has sparked debate about women’s roles in public life and the balance between tradition and progress in the kingdom. Analysts note that the appointment could signal a shift in Moroccan politics, yet the long‑standing influence of the monarchy and the complex coalition dynamics mean the path to a stable government remains uncertain.
Fatima Zahra El Mansouri has been named Morocco’s first female prime minister, following her party’s strong performance in last week’s parliamentary elections.
El Mansouri, aged 50, was handed the role by King Mohammed VI after his Authenticity and Modernity Party (Pam) secured the largest number of seats in the House of Representatives. Her appointment makes her only the second woman to head a government in the Arab world, after Tunisia’s Prime Minister Najla Bouden.
She will need to build a coalition to secure the 198 seats required for a majority in the 395‑member parliament. Pam currently holds 97 seats and has voted against the National Rally of Independents and the Justice and Development Party, both of which rejected partnership offers.
El Mansouri has served as mayor of Marrakesh, first elected in 2009 and re‑elected in 2021, and has previously held ministerial portfolios for national territory planning, urban development and housing under former Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch.
During a victory press‑conference, she praised the king as “the biggest advocate for women” and highlighted the historic nature of her appointment. She declined to comment on whether state religious observances would need to be altered for her participation.
The king’s decision follows a constitutional guideline that the head of government is selected from the party leading the legislature. The move has sparked discussions on women’s empowerment, political reform and the balance between monarchy and elected bodies in Morocco.
