Morocco has appointed its first woman PM after King Mohammed VI named Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri to lead the government following last week's parliamentary election. El Mansouri, who has served as mayor of Marrakesh and as a government minister, was tasked with forming a new coalition cabinet.
The appointment marks a historic milestone for Morocco and makes El Mansouri only the second woman to serve as PM in the arab world, after Tunisia's Najla Bouden. Her party, the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) won the largest share of seats in the 23 September election but did not secure an outright majority.
The royal palace announced on Tuesday that King Mohammed VI had receives El Mansouri at the palace in Rabat and appointed her Prime Minister. She was formally tasked with forming the new government and building a coalition to command a parliamentary majority.
El Mansouri, 50, is a former lawyer who entered politics through the PAM, a liberal- centrist party. She became Marrakesh's first woman mayor in 2009 at the age of 33 and later served as minister of national territorial planning, urban planning, housing and city policy.
In a televised speech after her appointment, El Mansouri described the moment as historic and said it was a source of pride and not only for her but for all Moroccan women. She stated she would work to build a government capable of addressing the country's economic and social challenges.
The PAM emerged as the largest party in the 23 September parliamentary vote but fell short of a majority. El Mansouri now must negotiate with other parties to form a coalition that can win confidence in parliament. The process is expected to take several days.
Morocco's political system gives the king significant authority over defence, foreign policy and religious affairs, while the prime minister leads the government and manages domestic policy. The appointment of woman to head the government is seen as a symbolic step in a country where women's political representation has been growing but remains limited at senior levels.
Mansouri's appointment comes as Morocco faces economic pressures, including inflation, unemployment and the need for investment in infrastructure and public services. The new government will also be expected to address social inequality, youth employment and regional development.
