Historic turning point in Morocco: First female prime minister appointed
After the September 23 elections in Morocco, a historic development unfolded. By appointing Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri, the leader of the PAM who topped the polls, to form a government, King Mohammed VI made history. El Mansouri will begin coalition talks to form the government.
After the parliamentary elections that shifted the political balance in Morocco, a historic development unfolded. King Mohammed VI appointed Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri, leader of the Freedom and Modernity Party (PAM), who topped the polls, to form a government. Thus El Mansouri became the first woman to head a government in Moroccan history.
In the elections held on September 23, PAM secured 97 seats out of the 395‑member House of Representatives, placing first. However, it fell short of the 198 seats required to form a government on its own. El Mansouri’s first task will be to negotiate coalition talks with other parties.
Official Appointment at the Royal Palace
King Mohammed VI received El Mansouri at the Royal Palace in Rabat. Following the meeting, a statement from the royal authorities announced that the PAM leader had been tasked with forming a new government.
According to the Moroccan constitution, the head of government is chosen from the party that wins the most seats in the House of Representatives elections.
With El Mansouri’s appointment, Morocco saw a woman head its government for the first time. The 50‑year‑old politician also became the second woman in the Arab world to be appointed prime minister.
Coalition Requirement Emerges from the Ballot
Despite PAM completing the elections ahead with 97 seats, its failure to secure a sole majority in parliament makes coalition negotiations for the new government inevitable.
In the elections, the National Independence Union (RNI) won 66 seats, the Independence Party secured 65 seats, and the Justice and Development Party (PJD) increased its seat count from 13 in the previous election to 54.
PJD leader Abdelilah Benkirane announced that his party would not be part of the government to be formed after the elections. This will require El Mansouri to turn to different political partners during the government formation process.
Voter Participation Was One of the Lowest Levels in Recent Years
One of the striking aspects of the elections was the decline in voter turnout. With turnout hovering around 38 percent, it registered as one of the lowest rates in recent years.
The new government is expected to take action especially in areas such as employment, economic conditions, and public services. El Mansouri's role coincides with the period during which Morocco is carrying out its preparations for the 2030 World Cup.
From Marrakech City Hall to the Government Summit
El Mansouri, who studied law, is one of the long-recognized figures in Moroccan politics.
In 2009, at the age of just 33, El Mansouri was elected Mayor of Marrakech, becoming the city's first female mayor. Later, in 2021, he was reappointed to the mayoralty and served as minister of housing and urbanism in the previous government.
El Mansouri, who has been active in PAM for a long time, was elected as a member of parliament after the September 23 elections. After his party completed its first round of elections, he was tasked by King Mohammed VI to form the government.
The Economic Agenda Lies Ahead of the New Government
The agenda of the government that El Mansouri will form will include economic and social issues, as well as Morocco's preparations for the 2030 World Cup.
In the PAM election campaign, it had outlined goals such as boosting economic growth, preserving purchasing power, and creating new jobs. To form a new government, a coalition agreement with other parties in parliament must first be reached.
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