Morocco has appointed Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri as its first female prime minister, marking a historic moment in the country’s political history. King Mohammed VI appointed El Mansouri on September 29, 2026, and asked her to form the new government.Key HighlightsFatima Ezzahra El Mansouri has become Morocco’s first female prime minister.King Mohammed VI appointed her on September 29, 2026.She has been tasked with forming Morocco’s new government.Her Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) won the largest number of seats in the September 23 parliamentary election.PAM secured 97 seats in the 395-member House of Representatives.El Mansouri previously served as mayor of Marrakech and as a government minister.Who Is Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri?Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri is a Moroccan politician and a senior figure in the Authenticity and Modernity Party, or PAM. She previously served as mayor of Marrakech and held the position of housing and urban development minister.Her appointment now places her at the head of Morocco’s government, making her the first woman to hold the country’s top government position.Why Was El Mansouri Appointed Prime Minister?Morocco held parliamentary elections on September 23, 2026. PAM emerged as the largest party in the House of Representatives, winning 97 seats.Under Morocco’s Constitution, the King appoints the Head of Government from the political party that wins the largest number of seats in the House of Representatives. Following the election result, King Mohammed VI appointed El Mansouri and tasked her with forming the next government.What Challenges Does Morocco’s New PM Face?El Mansouri will need to build a coalition government because PAM did not secure a majority on its own.Economic issues are also expected to be important for the new administration, including employment and concerns among young Moroccans. The government will also oversee preparations for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which Morocco is co-hosting with Spain and Portugal.What Happens Next?El Mansouri’s immediate task is to form a new government and present it for royal approval. Coalition negotiations will determine how different political parties participate in the new administration.Her appointment also represents a significant development for women’s political representation in Morocco, as she becomes the first woman to serve as Head of Government.Morocco PM Appointment TimelineSeptember 23, 2026: Morocco holds parliamentary elections.September 26, 2026: Final election results confirm PAM as the largest party.September 29, 2026: King Mohammed VI appoints Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri as Head of Government.Next step: El Mansouri begins forming the new Moroccan government
