Fatima Zahra Mansouri: A New Era for Morocco
In a groundbreaking development for Morocco, King Mohammed VI has appointed Urban Planning Minister Fatima Zahra Mansouri as the country's first female prime minister. This historic appointment marks a significant milestone in the Muslim kingdom, with Mansouri, a 50-year-old attorney and former mayor of Marrakech, stepping into a role that has traditionally been held by men. Following the recent parliamentary elections, in which her party, the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), emerged as the largest vote-getter, Mansouri is now tasked with forming a new government, as announced by the Royal Palace.
Her appointment comes on the heels of a changing political landscape in Morocco, where the electoral system often complicates the possibility of a single party achieving an absolute majority. Mansouri’s role as prime minister makes her only the second woman in the Arab world to hold such a position, following Tunisia's Najla Bouden. As she embarks on the task of coalition-building in the coming days, the expectations are high for her government to address pressing issues such as inflation, wage increases, and job creation, while also managing billions of dollars in investments linked to the upcoming 2030 FIFA World Cup.
Challenges and Controversies Ahead
The Moroccan Constitution empowers the king to appoint the prime minister from the party that secures the most seats in parliamentary elections. This provision was introduced as a result of reforms stemming from the Arab Spring protests in 2011, which aimed to limit royal powers and enhance democratic governance. Mansouri's political journey began with her involvement in PAM since its inception in 2008, founded by Fouad Ali El Himma, a close associate of King Mohammed VI. With a law degree from the University of Montpellier in France, Mansouri has risen through the ranks to become one of PAM’s prominent figures since 2024, having previously held positions as both a mayor and a member of parliament.
Despite her achievements, Mansouri's ascent to power has not been without controversy. She has faced accusations of conflict of interest regarding land transactions in Marrakech, claims that she vehemently denies, labeling them as defamatory and has taken legal action to clear her name. The recent elections saw approximately one million of the 15.8 million registered voters casting their ballots for PAM, marking the party's first significant victory since its establishment. As the focus now shifts to the coalition-building efforts for the next government, PAM has expressed a willingness to collaborate with various parties, although some, including the moderate Islamist Justice and Development party and the left-wing Federation of Democratic Left, have indicated their intention to remain in the opposition.
As reported by apnews.com.
