Morocco has appointed Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri as its first female head of government, marking a historic development in the kingdom’s political history.
King Mohammed VI appointed the 50-year-old politician on September 29 and tasked her with forming a new government following the country’s September 23 parliamentary elections.
The appointment was made under Article 47 of Morocco’s Constitution, which provides for the head of government to be selected from the party that wins the largest number of seats in the House of Representatives.
El Mansouri’s Authenticity and Modernity Party, known as PAM, emerged as the largest party in the election, securing 97 of the 395 seats in the lower house. The result, however, leaves the party well short of the 198 seats required for a parliamentary majority, making coalition-building one of the new prime minister’s immediate tasks.
Coalition negotiations are expected to shape the composition and direction of the new government, with PAM needing support from other parties to secure a governing majority. The process comes as Morocco prepares for major economic and infrastructure commitments linked to its hosting of the 2030 FIFA World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal.
El Mansouri brings extensive political and administrative experience to the position. A lawyer by training, she first entered local politics in Marrakesh and became the city’s first female mayor in 2009.
She later returned to lead the Marrakesh municipal council after the 2021 elections and also served multiple terms in Morocco’s House of Representatives. Her political career subsequently expanded to the national level when she was appointed Minister of National Planning, Urban Development, Housing and Urban Policy in October 2021.
During her time in government, El Mansouri was involved in major housing and urban-development initiatives, including the country’s direct housing-support programme and policies concerning spatial planning and urban development. Her portfolio also included efforts related to the relocation and rehousing of people affected by the devastating 2023 Al Haouz earthquake.
Her political responsibilities have also included leadership within PAM, where she became part of the party’s collective leadership. Her appointment as head of government now places her at the centre of Morocco’s next phase of economic and political administration.
The new administration is expected to confront several domestic challenges, including employment, living costs and demands for improvements in public services. Youth unemployment and economic pressures remain among the issues facing the incoming government.
At the same time, El Mansouri will oversee preparations for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, a major national undertaking expected to involve substantial investments in infrastructure, transport, tourism and other sectors.
Her appointment also represents a significant milestone for women’s political representation in Morocco, as she becomes the first woman to occupy the country’s highest government position.
The immediate priority, however, remains the formation of a coalition government capable of securing parliamentary support and implementing the administration’s programme following the September election.
With the king formally entrusting her with forming the government, El Mansouri now begins the next stage of her political career at a time of major economic, social and international commitments for Morocco.
