Morocco's King Mohammed VI appointed Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri as the country's first woman head of government on Tuesday, September 29, after her Authenticity and Modernity Party won the most seats in last week's parliamentary election. The royal palace said the king received her in Rabat and asked her to form a new government. The appointment opens coalition negotiations rather than completing the formation of a cabinet.
The palace said the decision followed Article 47 of Morocco's constitution, which requires the king to choose the head of government from the party leading the election for the House of Representatives. Reuters reported that the party, known as PAM, won 97 of the chamber's 395 seats in the September 23 vote. That is well short of an outright majority, so El Mansouri needs support from other parties to govern.
El Mansouri, 50, served as minister responsible for housing and urban planning in the outgoing government and was mayor of Marrakech. Associated Press reported that she is a lawyer and joined PAM when it was founded in 2008. Her appointment marks a first for Morocco, although women have previously held ministerial and other senior public offices in the country.
Reuters said the outgoing coalition's National Rally of Independents won 66 seats and the Istiqlal party won 65. The Justice and Development Party, with 54 seats, said it would remain in opposition. El Mansouri will have to negotiate a cabinet with potential partners and submit its membership for the king's approval; the final coalition has not yet been announced.
The new administration will face demands over jobs, household costs and public services. Reuters reported turnout of about 38 percent, down from around 50 percent at the previous election, while Associated Press linked the vote to recent youth protests and a migration crisis at Ceuta. Morocco is also preparing to co-host the 2030 men's football World Cup with Spain and Portugal, bringing major investment decisions before the next government.
The appointment is a historic change in who leads Morocco's government, but the practical direction of policy depends on coalition talks and the cabinet that emerges. The king retains broad authority over foreign policy, defense and other major portfolios, according to Reuters. El Mansouri's immediate task is to assemble parliamentary support and present a governing team.
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