Fatima Zahra Mansouri: A Rising Political Star in Morocco
Fatima Zahra Mansouri, a prominent leader in the Authenticity and Modernity Party, has emerged as a significant figure in Moroccan politics, particularly after her party secured the top position in the recent legislative elections, winning 97 seats. With over a decade of experience in local, parliamentary, and governmental roles, Mansouri is considered a strong candidate to lead the next government.
Born in Marrakech in 1976, Mansouri is a lawyer by profession, having specialized in law at Mohammed V University before furthering her education in France and the United States, focusing on business and corporate law. She began her career as an attorney in Marrakech, gaining extensive experience in civil and commercial law, which equipped her with practical skills in handling contract disputes and legal conflicts.
In addition to her legal career, Mansouri has been actively involved in civil society, having served as the president of the French Law Students Association and leading the Monia Association, which is dedicated to preserving heritage. Her political journey began in earnest with the establishment of the Authenticity and Modernity Party in 2008.
Mansouri gained national recognition in 2009 when she was elected as the mayor of Marrakech, becoming the first woman to hold this position in the city's history. This milestone was seen as a significant advancement for women's participation in local governance. She returned to this role after the 2021 elections.
For several years, Mansouri has been a member of the Moroccan House of Representatives, and in October 2021, she was appointed by King Mohammed VI as the Minister of National Land Management, Urban Planning, Housing, and City Policy in Aziz Akhannouch's government. In February 2024, she solidified her party leadership by taking the helm of the Authenticity and Modernity Party, one of the key parties in the government coalition, positioning herself as a candidate for higher national roles.
Mansouri presents herself as a political figure shaped by her grassroots work and party management rather than through mere rhetoric. She has emphasized that the Authenticity and Modernity Party possesses the vision and competencies necessary to shoulder responsibility. Rejecting the stereotype of the "iron woman," she stated in an interview with a French media outlet, "I am not a woman of steel or iron... I am a free activist." According to the Moroccan constitution, the king appoints the prime minister from the party that wins the majority in the House of Representatives, which places Mansouri in contention for the prime ministerial position.
If she succeeds, Mansouri will become the first woman to hold this office in Morocco's history and the second to do so in the Arab region after Najla Bouden in Tunisia.
As reported by bbc.com.
