Morocco has appointed a woman as head of government for the first time in the country’s history. On Tuesday, September 29, King Mohammed VI appointed Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri as prime minister and tasked her with forming a new government.
The Royal Palace said El Mansouri, 50, is currently serving as urban planning minister and mayor of Marrakesh. She was appointed after her Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) emerged as the largest party in the parliamentary election held on September 23.
PAM won 97 of the 395 seats in the House of Representatives. That is well short of the 198 seats required for a parliamentary majority, meaning El Mansouri will have to negotiate with other parties to form a governing coalition.
PAM was founded in 2008 by Fouad Ali El Himma, who is known as a close associate of King Mohammed VI. Following the election, the party expressed its willingness to work with other political parties. However, the Justice and Development Party (PJD) and the Federation of Democratic Left, among others, have said they will remain in opposition.
The coalition that forms the new government will also oversee major investment decisions as Morocco prepares to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup with Portugal and Spain.
El Mansouri becomes the second woman to serve as a head of government in the Arab world. Tunisia’s Najla Bouden previously served as prime minister from October 2021 to August 2023.
Born in Marrakesh in 1976, El Mansouri studied law. She obtained a postgraduate diploma from the University of Montpellier in France and a diploma in Anglo-Saxon business law from New York University in the United States.
She began her political career in local government. In 2009, she was elected mayor of Marrakesh, becoming the city’s first female mayor. She returned to lead the municipal council following the 2021 elections. She also served multiple terms as a member of the House of Representatives, gaining parliamentary experience.
El Mansouri joined the national government in October 2021 and was appointed minister responsible for national territory planning, urban development, housing and urban policy. During her tenure, her portfolio included a direct housing assistance programme, reforms related to urban planning and territorial development, and the rehabilitation of areas affected by the earthquake.
After her appointment as prime minister, El Mansouri described the decision as “truly historic” in a televised address. She said it was the first time in Morocco’s history that a woman had taken responsibility for leading the government and described it as a source of pride for Moroccan women.
Her appointment came four days after the results of the parliamentary election were announced. Her immediate task will now be to negotiate with other parties and form a coalition government.
