Historic Appointment of Fatima Zahra Mansouri
On September 29, 2026, King Mohammed VI of Morocco welcomed Fatima Zahra Mansouri at the Royal Palace in Rabat, officially appointing her as the Prime Minister of Morocco. This monumental decision marks a significant milestone in Moroccan history, as she becomes the first woman to lead the Moroccan government. Her appointment comes in accordance with Article 47 of the Moroccan Constitution, which mandates that the King appoint the Prime Minister from the political party that wins the most seats in the parliamentary elections.
Background and Political Career
Born in 1976 in Marrakech, Fatima Zahra Mansouri is a distinguished lawyer with a solid educational background. She studied private law at Mohammed V University and furthered her education in Montpellier, France. Additionally, she specialized in Anglo-Saxon business law at New York University, showcasing her commitment to understanding both national and international legal frameworks. Mansouri first gained national recognition in 2009 when she was elected as the Mayor of Marrakech, making her the first woman to hold this position, which she retained until 2015. After a brief hiatus, she returned to lead the Marrakech City Council following the 2021 elections.
In the governmental sphere, she was appointed by King Mohammed VI in October 2021 as the Minister for National Planning, Urban Development, Housing, and City Policy, serving in the cabinet of Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch. Politically, she is a prominent figure in the Authenticity and Modernity Party, having served as the national coordinator for the party’s collective leadership since the fifth national congress in 2024.
Mansouri's ascent to the role of Prime Minister follows her party's success in the legislative elections held on September 23, 2026, where the Authenticity and Modernity Party secured 97 out of 395 seats in the Parliament. This achievement highlights Mansouri's political acumen and the trust placed in her leadership by her party and the Moroccan electorate. As the first woman to reach this pivotal position, she is now tasked with forming a government majority and proposing new cabinet members to the King.
As reported by alyaoum24.com.
