In a groundbreaking move for the political landscape of Morocco, King Mohammed VI appointed Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri as the new Prime Minister on September 29, 2026. This significant appointment, announced by the Royal Household, Protocol, and Chancellery following an audience at the royal palace in Rabat, marks a historic moment as El Mansouri becomes the first woman to hold the position in the history of the North African kingdom. Her appointment is anchored in Article 47 of the Moroccan Constitution, underscoring the progressive shift in the country’s governance.
Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri leads the Party of Authenticity and Modernity (PAM), which emerged victorious in the parliamentary elections held on September 23, 2026. The PAM secured an impressive 97 out of 395 seats in the House of Representatives, positioning it as a dominant force in the new parliament. However, to establish a parliamentary majority, El Mansouri now faces the critical task of negotiating alliances with other parties represented in the parliament. Following the election results, she stated that her party has no 'red lines' regarding potential future coalitions, indicating a willingness to engage with various political factions.
Notably, a coalition with the Islamic-conservative Justice and Development Party (PJD) appears to be off the table, as the PJD has declared its intention to remain in opposition and not join any coalition led by the PAM. This situation raises questions about the stability of the new government, especially since the PAM was part of the previous administration under Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch's National Rally of Independents (RNI) and the Istiqlal Party. It remains to be seen whether former partners can re-establish a government under new leadership.
The newly appointed El Mansouri, born in 1976, holds a degree in law from Mohammed V University in Rabat and has specialized in business law at both Montpellier and New York universities. Before her political career, she practiced as a lawyer, focusing on commercial and real estate law. Her political journey began in 2009 when she was first elected as the mayor of Marrakech, a role she currently holds again since 2021. In October 2021, she was appointed as Minister of National Planning, Urban Development, Housing, and City Policy, adding to the list of women appointed to senior government positions in Morocco.
In the coming days, coalition negotiations and the allocation of ministerial portfolios will take center stage. Once a majority is secured, El Mansouri will present the list of new government members to the King for approval, setting the stage for a new chapter in Moroccan politics.
As reported by maghreb-post.de.
