Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri represents a significant renewal in a nation grappling with profound economic and social expectations. As the first woman appointed to lead a Moroccan government, El Mansouri, who previously made history as the first female mayor of Marrakech, expresses her desire to "restore hope" to the youth of Morocco. Hailing from a prominent family in Marrakech, this 50-year-old woman, often seen behind her dark-framed glasses, was also elected as a deputy in the recent parliamentary elections.
Having a legal background, El Mansouri entered the political arena by joining the Movement of All Democrats, established by royal advisor Fouad Ali El Himma. This movement later laid the groundwork for the formation of the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) in 2008. Under the PAM banner, she was elected as the mayor of her hometown, Marrakech, at just 33 years old in 2009, marking a historic achievement for this popular tourist city.
Her political journey faced challenges when she lost the presidency of the Marrakech municipal council to the Islamist PJD party in 2015. However, she rebounded in 2021, reclaiming the mayoral position in a city with over a million residents. Additionally, she served as the Minister of Housing in the outgoing government led by Aziz Akhannouch.
On September 29, Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri was appointed as the head of the government by King Mohammed VI, following her party's electoral victory. Faced with the challenge of forming a coalition government without an absolute majority, her experience as the national coordinator for PAM could prove advantageous in navigating political negotiations. Several pressing issues await her attention, including rising unemployment, the increasing cost of living, and social disparities that particularly affect the youth. "Young people are experiencing a crisis, and we must provide them with responses. We want to restore their hope, not just through speeches but with concrete solutions," she stated during her campaign.
The elections occurred less than two months after a migration crisis in Ceuta, which once again highlighted the struggles of Moroccan youth. In late July, tens of thousands of migrants, predominantly Moroccans, illegally crossed into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta from the neighboring Moroccan city of Fnideq. Last year, an anonymous collective called GenZ 212 emerged on social media, organizing almost daily protests for two weeks to demand better public services in education and healthcare.
Throughout her tenure, El Mansouri will also be responsible for co-organizing the 2030 World Cup and the autonomy plan for the disputed territory of Western Sahara, adding to the weight of expectations on her shoulders.
As reported by fr.news.yahoo.com.
