In a groundbreaking move for gender equality and representation in Morocco, King Mohammed VI has appointed Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri, the Mayor of Marrakech, as the Prime Minister of the North African nation. This historic appointment signifies a pivotal moment, as El Mansouri, a 50-year-old legal expert who previously served as Minister of Housing, officially received the mandate to form a new government during a meeting at the royal palace today.
El Mansouri's Party Achieves Significant Electoral Success
El Mansouri's political party, the Party of Authenticity and Modernity (PAM), secured a decisive victory in the parliamentary elections held last Wednesday. The party, which has been part of the previous governing coalition, claimed 97 seats out of a total of 395 in the new parliament. In contrast, the National Rally of Independents (RNI), led by the former Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, managed to obtain only 66 seats, placing them in second position, closely followed by the Istiqlal Party with 65 seats. In Morocco, the party with the most seats traditionally appoints the Prime Minister; however, the King retains the final say on significant political decisions as the head of state.
Addressing Major Challenges Ahead
El Mansouri now faces the formidable task of forming a coalition government without having an outright majority in the parliament, a situation that poses substantial challenges. Among the pressing issues are the rising cost of living and high youth unemployment rates, which have fueled widespread discontent and political apathy, particularly among the younger demographic. The voter turnout for this election was a mere 38%, the lowest it has been in the past two decades. Throughout her campaign, El Mansouri pledged to restore hope to the youth of Morocco, emphasizing the need for action and engagement in addressing the concerns that affect their lives.
As reported by orf.at.
