Trailblazing New Leadership in Morocco
The official appointment of Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri as Prime Minister by King Mohammed VI of Morocco, following the victory of the Party of Authenticity and Modernity (PAM), represents not only a historic milestone for the North African kingdom but also ushers in a new era of development. At the age of 50, she becomes the first woman to lead the Moroccan government, taking on the critical responsibility of addressing the pressing socio-economic challenges while gearing the nation towards the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
A New Era in Arab Politics
On September 29, 2026, a significant event took place at the Royal Palace in Rabat, marking a pivotal moment in the political history of the Arab world. Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri was officially inaugurated as Morocco's first female Prime Minister, becoming only the second woman to hold such a position in the Arab realm, following Tunisia's former Prime Minister Najla Bouden. Shortly after her inauguration, El Mansouri delivered a televised address to the nation, emphasizing, "For the first time in our country's history, a woman is taking the lead of the government. This is a source of pride not just for me but for all Moroccan women."
The PAM party's triumph in the parliamentary elections on September 23, where they secured 97 out of 395 seats in the lower house, laid a solid foundation for this appointment. According to the Moroccan constitution, the King appoints the head of government from the party that wins the most seats in parliamentary elections. Although PAM did not achieve the absolute majority of 198 seats required, their lead of 31 seats over the nearest competitor, the National Rally of Independents (RNI) with 66 seats, solidified their dominant position in the political landscape, despite the lowest voter turnout in two decades.
El Mansouri's rise to power is the culmination of nearly two decades of political engagement. Born in 1976 into a distinguished family in the Rehamna province, she has a background steeped in law; her father was a notable lawyer and former Moroccan ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). She holds a law degree from both France and the United States, with a Master's in Economic Contract Law from the University of Montpellier and a degree in Anglo-American law from Pace University in New York. Since 2005, El Mansouri has practiced as a lawyer and joined a political party at the age of 30. In 2007, she became involved with the movement 'For All Democrats' and was a founding member of the PAM party in 2008. Her political journey took a significant leap when she became the mayor of Marrakech at just 33, making history as the first woman to lead Morocco’s busiest tourist center, a role she held until 2015. After a hiatus, she was re-elected in 2021, serving as the Minister of National Planning, Urban Planning, Housing, and Urban Development in the previous government from 2021 to 2026, where she earned a reputation for her transparent and determined leadership style, as well as her successes in increasing urban revenue.
El Mansouri's ascent to the highest office brings with it the urgent necessity to address Morocco's current challenges, including high unemployment rates, rising living costs, and persistent social inequality, all of which heavily weigh on the population, particularly the youth. Just weeks before the elections, the desperate attempt of tens of thousands of Moroccan youths to enter Spain’s Ceuta enclave sparked significant concerns over an impending socio-economic crisis, coinciding with a year when Generation Z actively demonstrated for improvements in healthcare and education.
Aware of these pressing issues, El Mansouri prioritized youth in her campaign, with her promise to "rekindle hope" becoming a central theme. She stated, "We are fully aware that this period will be crucial and comes with very high expectations from the Moroccan people, especially the younger generation. Therefore, we will develop an action program that provides concrete and practical solutions to the concerns of the populace." Her party has set ambitious economic goals for the next five years, targeting an average economic growth of 5% per year, an inflation rate of 2%, and the creation of at least one million new jobs. Given the volatile global economy, achieving these goals will not be easy and will require substantial and courageous structural reforms from the new government.
Before implementing her proposed strategies, El Mansouri must first confront the immediate challenge of forming a stable coalition government. With the PAM party holding only 97 seats, it must collaborate with other political forces to reach the required 198 seats. This task will demand considerable skill and flexibility at the negotiation table. The National Rally of Independents (RNI), which was the leading force in the previous coalition government, secured 66 seats, while the right-wing Istiqlal party came third with 65 seats and the Justice and Development Party (PJD) won 54 seats. Although PJD leader and former Prime Minister Abdelilah Benkirane welcomed the election results, he categorically rejected joining a coalition led by PAM, stating that the party would remain in opposition. El Mansouri demonstrated her qualities as a pragmatic and flexible politician by indicating her willingness to enter negotiations without setting "red lines," ready to open a new chapter in the national interest. Her ability to attract influential figures, such as Fouzi Lekjaa, president of the Moroccan Football Federation, to the PAM party before the elections showcased her exceptional talent for coalition-building and was a significant strategic move.
Beyond domestic issues, El Mansouri's government also carries a strategic international responsibility: leading and concluding the final phase of a massive $20 billion investment program in preparation for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, a tournament that Morocco will co-host with Spain and Portugal. The elevation of a woman to the top of a North African country stands as a powerful and inspiring symbol for gender equality. To fulfill this promise, Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri must demonstrate the strength of a former lawyer and experienced ex-mayor, capable of implementing her commitments and bringing stability and prosperity to Morocco over the next five years.
As reported by vietnam.vn.
