By Sandra Kenneth
In a historic political shift, King Mohammed VI has officially named Marrakesh Mayor Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri as Morocco’s first female Prime Minister following her party’s decisive victory in last week’s parliamentary elections.
The 50-year-old former Housing Minister and leader of the centre-right Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) has been tasked by the Royal Cabinet with forming a new governing coalition after securing 97 of the 395 seats in the House of Representatives. Although the election saw the lowest voter turnout in two decades, PAM delivered a commanding performance, finishing 31 seats ahead of its closest rival.
Addressing the nation in a televised broadcast shortly after her appointment, El Mansouri highlighted the significance of the moment.
“For the first time in our country’s history, a woman is taking on the responsibility of leading the government,” El Mansouri declared, describing the milestone as “truly historic” and a point of pride for all Moroccan women. “The work starts today. We will first initiate internal consultations within our party before holding discussions with all political groups.”
Coalition Building Ahead
Because the PAM fell short of an absolute majority, El Mansouri must construct a governing alliance. While King Mohammed VI retains ultimate authority over major strategic and foreign policies, the new premier faces the immediate challenge of aligning disparate political factions.
The outgoing ruling party, the National Rally of Independents (RNI), secured second place with 66 seats, closely followed by the right-wing Istiqlal party with 65 seats. Meanwhile, the Islamist opposition Justice and Development Party (PJD) staged a notable comeback, expanding its footprint from 13 seats in 2021 to 54 seats.
However, former Prime Minister and PJD chief Abdelilah Benkirane has already ruled out joining a PAM-led government, alleging election irregularities without offering specific details.
Economic and Social Challenges
El Mansouri takes the helm during a turbulent economic period. Her upcoming cabinet faces mounting pressure to address severe youth unemployment, rising living costs, and deep-seated social inequalities.
The elections followed weeks of heightened social tension, marked by a massive surge of young Moroccan migrants attempting to enter the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, as well as broader Gen-Z protests demanding sweeping reforms in healthcare and education.
To restore public confidence, PAM has outlined an ambitious economic agenda for its five-year mandate, pledging 5% average annual economic growth, capping inflation at 2%, and generating at least one million new jobs.
“We are fully aware that this period will be significant and marked by high expectations from Moroccans, particularly young people,” El Mansouri noted, promising a policy program tailored to offer concrete solutions to everyday economic grievances.
A Career of Firsts
El Mansouri’s ascent to the prime ministership marks another major milestone in a political career defined by breaking barriers. She joined PAM in 2008—the year the party was established by royal adviser Fouad Ali El Himma to counter Islamist political dominance—and made history in 2009 as the first female mayor of Marrakesh, a position she reclaimed in 2021.
