Morocco appoints Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri as first female prime minister

Historic Appointment

Morocco has made history by appointing its first female prime minister, Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri. King Mohammed VI appointed El Mansouri on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, following the country's parliamentary elections. El Mansouri's party, the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), won the largest number of seats in the parliamentary election, securing 97 of the 395 seats.

El Mansouri's Background

Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri is a 50-year-old lawyer who has previously served as Morocco's housing minister and mayor of Marrakech. She became the first female mayor of Marrakesh 17 years ago and has been a member of the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) since its founding in 2008. El Mansouri is trilingual and studied law in Morocco and at France's University of Montpellier.

Parliamentary Election Results

The parliamentary election results show that the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) won 97 seats. As El Mansouri's party did not win enough seats to govern alone, they will need to find coalition partners.

Challenges Ahead

El Mansouri takes office after an election in which turnout fell to 38 percent from 50 percent five years ago. According to El Mansouri, "If we had succeeded, we would not now be hearing these voices in the streets and on social media, and this anger would not exist." PAM campaigned on a platform of promises to create at least a million jobs during its term, achieve average annual economic growth of 5 percent, and keep inflation at 2 percent.

Reaction to the Appointment

El Mansouri's appointment has been welcomed as a historic moment for Morocco. El Mansouri herself has said, "This is a truly historic moment. For the first time in the history of our country, a woman is taking responsibility for leading the government. It is a source of pride not only for me but for all Moroccan women." According to Abdellah Tourabi, a Moroccan journalist and analyst, El Mansouri is part of the party's original core and has been there from the start.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri?

Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri is a 50-year-old lawyer who has been appointed as Morocco's first female prime minister. She has previously served as Morocco's housing minister and mayor of Marrakech.

What are the challenges facing El Mansouri's government?

El Mansouri's government faces challenges such as low turnout in the parliamentary election and a need to create jobs and achieve economic growth.

What is the significance of El Mansouri's appointment?

El Mansouri's appointment is significant as it marks a historic moment for Morocco, with a woman taking responsibility for leading the government for the first time in the country's history.

As El Mansouri begins her term as prime minister, she will be closely watched by Moroccans and the international community. Her ability to form a coalition government and address the challenges facing the country will be crucial in determining the success of her term. According to El Mansouri, "We are fully aware that this period will be important and marked by high expectations from Moroccans, especially young people." The next step for El Mansouri will be to submit the proposed list of cabinet members to the King for approval, and to begin talks with other political parties to form a coalition government.