Morocco’s King Mohammed VI has appointed Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri as the country’s first female Prime Minister, following her Authenticity and Modernity Party’s (PAM) victory in the September 23 parliamentary elections.
The royal palace announced the appointment on Tuesday, tasking the 50-year-old lawyer with forming a new government.
The PAM won 97 of the 395 seats in the House of Representatives, emerging as the largest party but falling short of the 198 seats required for an outright majority. El Mansouri will therefore have to negotiate with other parties to form a governing coalition.
El Mansouri, who is also the mayor of Marrakesh and previously served as Minister of National Territory Planning, Urban Development, Housing and Urban Policy, has made young Moroccans a major focus of her political platform.
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During the election campaign, she pledged to address youth concerns, unemployment, the cost of living and social disparities, saying “young people needed concrete solutions to restore their hope.”
Morocco has experienced growing youth dissatisfaction over economic and social conditions, including concerns about employment and public services. The situation was also highlighted by recent youth-led protests and a mass rush towards the Spanish enclave of Ceuta.
As head of government, El Mansouri will oversee preparations for Morocco’s co-hosting of the 2030 FIFA World Cup with Spain and Portugal.
She will also be responsible for advancing the government’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara, a disputed territory.
Morocco is a constitutional monarchy in which the King retains significant powers, particularly over foreign policy, defence and other strategic areas.
Africanews
