Morocco appoints its first female prime minister

Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri has been appointed Morocco’s first female prime minister. King Mohammed VI named her on 29 September and tasked her with forming a government after her party won the most seats in parliamentary elections.

The 50-year-old lawyer has already broken new ground in public office. In 2009, she became the first woman to serve as mayor of Marrakesh. A leader of the Authenticity and Modernity Party, known as PAM, she also served as housing minister in the outgoing government.

PAM secured 97 of the 395 seats in the lower house in the 23 September vote. Without an outright majority, El Mansouri must negotiate with other parties to build a governing coalition for a five-year term.

Her appointment is a milestone in women’s political representation, but the incoming government faces substantial challenges. The election took place amid distrust of the political establishment and concern about unemployment and inequality, particularly among young people. Only 38% of eligible voters cast a ballot. El Mansouri will also govern within a constitutional monarchy in which the king retains extensive powers, especially over foreign policy and defence.