Morocco has made history by appointing Fatima Zahra Mansouri as its first female prime minister, the royal cabinet announced on Tuesday. King Mohammed VI has tasked Mansouri with the responsibility of forming the next government.
Under the Moroccan constitution, the monarch holds the authority to appoint the prime minister but must select a candidate from the party that secures the most seats in parliamentary elections. Mansouri’s appointment follows her center-right Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) victory in last week’s legislative polls. The party captured 97 out of 395 seats in the House of Representatives, finishing 31 ahead of its closest rival. Despite the decisive win, the election was marked by the lowest voter turnout in two decades.
“For the first time in our country’s history, a woman is taking on the responsibility of leading the government,” Mansouri stated. “This is a source of pride not only for me but for all Moroccan women.”
Mansouri becomes only the second woman to serve as prime minister in the Arab world, following Najla Bouden of Tunisia, who held the office from 2021 to 2023. A 50-year-old veteran of Moroccan politics, she previously served as the mayor of Marrakesh from 2009 to 2015 and again from 2021 onward, becoming the first woman to hold that position. She has also served as a member of parliament since joining PAM, the party founded in 2008 by royal adviser Fouad Ali El Himma to counter the influence of Islamist movements.
Her new role comes with significant challenges, including the need to address rising inflation, increase wages, and create jobs amid growing voter apathy. Additionally, she is expected to oversee billions of dollars in investments tied to Morocco’s co-hosting of the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
“We are fully aware that this period will be significant and marked by high expectations from Moroccans, particularly young people,” Mansouri said. “That is why we will have a program offering concrete and realistic solutions to citizens’ concerns.”
While PAM has expressed willingness to collaborate with other parties to form a government, some major opponents, including the moderate Islamist Justice and Development Party and the left-wing Federation of Democratic Left, have indicated they plan to remain in the opposition.
Wait, so she is only the second female PM in the Arab world? I thought Tunisia’s leader had left office already.
History made, but can she actually fix inflation and create jobs? Turnout being the lowest in decades is concerning.
Incredible milestone for Morocco and the entire Arab world. Mansouri has real experience leading Marrakesh.