Is Fatima Zahra Mansouri the Next Prime Minister of Morocco?
According to Mohamed Nashtawi, a political science professor at the University of Marrakech, a critical question currently arises: will the direct appointment be granted to Fatima Zahra Mansouri, or will it go to the newcomer, Fawzi Lekjaa? He suggests a political tactic aiming to establish a "World Cup Government" under Lekjaa's leadership, given the necessity for infrastructure guarantees and enhancements as Morocco prepares to host the World Cup in 2030.
The ascent of Fatima Zahra Mansouri to the forefront of Moroccan politics is not merely a transient electoral moment, but rather the result of a political journey that began in Marrakech, where she engaged in local governance before moving on to parliament and government, eventually leading the "Authenticity and Modernity Party" (PAM), popularly known as the "Tractor Party," which won the legislative elections.
With PAM leading the [electoral scene](https://www.independentarabia.com/node/658776/%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%A9/%D9%85%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%AA/%D8%A3%D8%B3%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%A8-%D9%86%D8%B3%D8%A8%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B4%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%83%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B6%D8%B9%D9%8A%D9%81%D8%A9-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%AE%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%BA%D8%B1%D8%A8), Mansouri's name has transcended discussions surrounding the party's position within the upcoming government majority, leading to expectations about who might head the next government (the World Cup Government), potentially making her the first woman to ever hold the position of Prime Minister in the country's history.
Will the Path Be Clear or Obstructed?
The path appears initially open for Mansouri, who grew up in Marrakech and held various positions before assuming the housing portfolio in the outgoing government, to transition to the capital, Rabat, specifically to the "Palace of the Happy Visitation," where Moroccans await her reception by King Mohammed VI and the official appointment to form a new government.
Article 47 of the Moroccan constitution stipulates that the king appoints the Prime Minister from the political party that wins the most seats in the House of Representatives based on election results. Given that PAM topped the election results, securing 97 seats, it is likely that Mansouri will be appointed from this party.
What sets PAM apart from other Moroccan parties is its collective leadership, which includes Fatima Zahra Mansouri, Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, and Salah Eddin Abu Ghali, with Mansouri coordinating the national efforts among this collective leadership.
According to constitutional tradition, it is probable that Mansouri will be appointed as the head of the upcoming Moroccan government, making her the first Moroccan woman to assume this role, often referred to as "Bint al-Basha," due to her father, Abdel Rahman Mansouri, who served as the mayor of Marrakech for several years.
However, the aforementioned constitutional text does not prevent the king from appointing another figure from the leading party in the legislative elections, which could mean Fawzi Lekjaa, the budget minister and a recent addition to the party, could also be a contender. Mansouri, born in 1976 in Marrakech, has honed her political and management skills through her legal background, having studied law at the University of Montpellier in France and practiced as a lawyer. She gained recognition in 2009 as the first woman to lead the Marrakech city council and returned to the mayorship after the 2021 elections.
Mansouri has a lengthy legislative career, having been elected to the House of Representatives in 2011, 2016, and 2021, before taking over the Ministry of National Planning, Urbanism, Housing, and City Policy in October 2021. By 2024, she had climbed the ranks within PAM to become the "Coordinator of the Collective Leadership," effectively the party's secretary-general, making her a focal point in Moroccan politics and positioning her closer than ever to potentially leading the government.
In analyzing the potential outcomes of the forthcoming appointment, constitutional law professor Othman Ziyani stated that the identity of the next Prime Minister will not solely rely on electoral results but will also be influenced by considerations regarding competence, the ability to form a majority, and the nature of the upcoming challenges. Currently, it is difficult to predict who the king will appoint as Prime Minister since the decision is not solely based on election outcomes, as Ziyani elaborated, emphasizing that there are other factors at play, such as competence and the ability to build a majority amidst significant challenges.
In this context, Ziyani noted that Mansouri could appear to be a natural political choice, given her leadership role in PAM and her accumulated organizational and political experience. He pointed out that her appointment could be a historic event, making her the first woman to lead the Moroccan government. Conversely, Ziyani suggested that the scales could tip towards Fawzi Lekjaa, arguing that his recent accession to the party and direct entry into its political office should not merely be viewed as an ordinary electoral recruitment.
Ziyani highlighted that Lekjaa possesses experience in public finance management, a strong presence in the preparations for the 2030 World Cup, and a public image associated with effectiveness and results. His joining PAM has provided the necessary political cover for him to transition from a technocrat to a potential candidate for Prime Minister. He concluded that while Mansouri remains the party and symbolic choice, Lekjaa appears to be the more operational choice that aligns with the priorities of the moment, emphasizing that "all possibilities remain open until the official appointment is announced."
As reported by independentarabia.com.
