Fatima Zahra El Mansouri Makes History as Morocco's First Female Prime Minister
In a groundbreaking political development, Fatima Zahra El Mansouri has been appointed as Morocco's first female Prime Minister following her party, the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), securing the most seats in the recent legislative elections. This pivotal moment not only marks a significant milestone for Morocco but also places El Mansouri among the few women to ever lead a government in the Arab world, being only the second after Tunisia's Najla Bouden.
El Mansouri, a seasoned politician and lawyer, was chosen by King Mohammed VI, who opted for her over prominent political figure Fouzi Lekjaa, the president of the Moroccan Football Federation and a leading member of the same party. At 50 years old, she has an extensive political background, having served as the mayor of Marrakech for several years and holding a ministerial position in the previous coalition government. Despite Morocco's status as a constitutional monarchy where the king wields significant power, El Mansouri's appointment signifies a progressive step towards gender inclusion in governance.
During a press conference celebrating her election victory, El Mansouri was asked about the state’s need for reforms that would allow her to attend religious ceremonies alongside the king, where men and women typically pray in separate sections. Rather than addressing the question directly, she praised the king as "the greatest advocate for women" in Morocco, stating, "His Majesty embodies wisdom... If I am entrusted with the responsibility of leading the government, it will be a great honor." This expression of loyalty to the monarchy is common in Moroccan politics, where the king's influence remains strong.
Background and Political Career of El Mansouri
A graduate of Mohammed V University in Rabat, El Mansouri furthered her studies in France and the United States, specializing in business and corporate law. She entered politics in 2008 with the establishment of PAM and made history as the first female mayor of Marrakech in 2009, a position she regained after the 2021 elections. In the past five years, she has held the role of Minister of National Land Management, Urban Planning, Housing, and Urban Policy under former Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch. In February 2024, she was appointed the coordinator of PAM's ruling coalition.
Throughout her political journey, El Mansouri has shunned the label of a “iron lady,” describing herself instead as a "free activist" in a 2021 interview. Despite her influential role, she has rarely publicly addressed pressing issues such as women's rights or gender inequality, even as Morocco grapples with debates around polygamy and equal inheritance rights.
According to the Moroccan constitution, the king appoints the head of government from the party that secures the most seats in the House of Representatives. Although PAM secured 97 seats in the recent elections, it does not hold a majority and will need to form a coalition to reach the 198 seats required for an absolute majority in the 395-member parliament. The coalition negotiations are expected to be complex, especially as El Mansouri faces opposition from the National Rally of Independents (RNI), which led the previous government where PAM was a junior partner. The Islamist Justice and Development Party (PJD) also made a notable comeback, winning 54 seats compared to just 13 in the last elections, under the leadership of former Prime Minister Abdelilah Benkirane, who has stated that the PJD will remain in opposition and will not ally with PAM.
As reported by bbc.com.
