Morocco’s King Mohammed VI appointed Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri as the country’s inaugural female prime minister on Tuesday. This appointment comes after her party, the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), emerged victorious in the recent parliamentary elections held on September 23. According to a statement released by the royal palace, the king requested El Mansouri to form a new government.

According to the Moroccan constitution, the head of government is selected by the monarch from the party securing the most seats in the House of Representatives. Although Morocco is structured as a constitutional monarchy, the king retains significant powers over vital sectors including foreign policy and national security.

PAM’s Legislative Triumph

El Mansouri’s PAM secured a total of 97 seats in the recent elections, significantly outperforming its coalition partners from the previous government. The liberal-centrist National Rally of Independents (RNI) acquired 66 seats, while the conservative nationalist Istiqlal party won 65 seats. The Islamist Justice and Development Party (PJD), which governed for a decade, experienced a sharp decline, obtaining only 54 seats.

Founded in 2008 by a royal adviser, PAM has aimed to present itself as a modernising entity in Moroccan politics, promoting social reforms alongside secular-based policies. The party’s campaign gained momentum with the recruitment of Fouzi Lekjaa, the president of Morocco’s football federation and a senior budget official, just before the elections.

With her background as a lawyer and her previous role as housing minister, El Mansouri has experience in governance. Additionally, she serves as the mayor of Marrakech. As she embarks on coalition negotiations, her proposed cabinet will be submitted to King Mohammed VI for final approval.

Coalition Negotiations and Challenges Ahead

El Mansouri is set to initiate discussions aimed at forming a governing coalition, a process that will require navigating complex political dynamics. Despite the PAM’s earlier reluctance to engage with the RNI due to differing economic policies and concerns regarding rising food prices, following the elections, El Mansouri took a more collaborative stance. She indicated a willingness to negotiate without strict boundaries, stating, “We have turned the page.” In contrast, the PJD, led by former prime minister Abdelilah Benkirane, announced its intention to remain in opposition.

The incoming government will face significant challenges, including overseeing the final preparations for Morocco’s co-hosting of the 2030 FIFA World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal. Moreover, it will need to address pressing economic issues and growing youth discontent, both of which have become prominent topics in public discourse in recent years. The backdrop of these concerns includes a significant attempted migration into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta last July and widespread youth-led protests that occurred the previous year.

Voter turnout during the recent elections was approximately 38 per cent, a marked decline from around 50 per cent in the last parliamentary elections five years prior. This decrease is viewed as an indicator of public confidence in both political parties and elected institutions.

Women’s Representation in Politics

Fatima El Mansouri’s appointment represents a significant advancement for women’s representation in Morocco’s political framework. In recent years, King Mohammed VI has actively promoted the inclusion of women in various high-ranking roles within governmental institutions. Notably, the previous administration comprised four women ministers, reflecting a gradual shift towards increased gender representation in the political sphere.

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