Morocco has appointed Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri as its first woman prime minister, marking a historic moment for the North African country and elevating one of its most prominent female politicians to its highest executive office.
King Mohammed VI appointed the 50-year-old politician on September 29, 2026, and tasked her with forming the next government after her Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) emerged as the largest party in the September 23 parliamentary elections.
Speaking after her audience with the King at the Royal Palace in Rabat, El Mansouri described the appointment as a major milestone for Moroccan women.
“This is truly a historic moment,” she said in a televised address. “For the first time in our country’s history, a woman is taking on the responsibility of leading the government.”
She added: “This is a source of pride not only for me but for all Moroccan women.”
The appointment came six days after Moroccans went to the polls in legislative elections that reshaped the balance of power in the country’s House of Representatives.
PAM won 97 of the 395 seats, putting it ahead of the National Rally of Independents (RNI), which secured 66 seats, and Istiqlal, which won 65. The Justice and Development Party (PJD), led by former prime minister Abdelilah Benkirane, took 54 seats.
Under Article 47 of Morocco’s Constitution, the King appoints the head of government from the party that wins the largest number of seats in the House of Representatives. El Mansouri therefore became the constitutional choice to lead government formation, although PAM does not have enough seats to govern alone.
The new prime minister must now negotiate with other parties to assemble a governing coalition.
El Mansouri signalled that she intends to approach the talks pragmatically. During the coalition discussions, she said there would be “no red lines” and declared, “We have turned the page.”
She also said the government-formation process would begin immediately.
“The work will start today,” El Mansouri said. “We will begin with internal consultations within the party, and then consultations with all political parties, so that, God willing, as soon as possible, we can present to His Majesty our proposal for a government that meets the expectations of the King and the expectations of citizens.”
El Mansouri brings extensive experience in local and national politics to the position.
Born in Marrakesh in 1976, she trained as a lawyer before entering politics. She became involved with the Authenticity and Modernity Party when it was founded in 2008.
Her first major political breakthrough came in 2009, when she became the first woman to serve as mayor of Marrakesh. She held the position until 2015 before returning to municipal leadership after the 2021 elections.
Her political career also included parliamentary service before she moved into national government.
In October 2021, King Mohammed VI appointed her Minister of National Spatial Planning, Urban Development, Housing and Urban Policy in the government led by outgoing Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch.
As minister, she handled major housing and urban-development programmes, including Morocco’s direct housing-support initiative. Her ministry also dealt with reconstruction and rehousing following the 2023 Al Haouz earthquake.
Her combination of municipal leadership, parliamentary experience, party leadership and Cabinet service positioned her as one of PAM’s most prominent figures before the 2026 election.
Her appointment comes at a time when Morocco’s new government faces pressure over employment, living costs, public services and youth expectations.
El Mansouri acknowledged those expectations in her first remarks after receiving the King’s mandate, saying young Moroccans in particular were looking to the incoming government for tangible solutions.
“We are fully aware that this period will be an important one and that there are great expectations from citizens, especially young people,” she said. She promised a government programme offering “real and practical solutions” to citizens.
The government will also oversee major infrastructure and investment programmes connected to Morocco’s preparations for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which the country will co-host with Spain and Portugal.
