oluwatosin oyeniyi RABAT, Morocco — Morocco has appointed Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri as its first woman prime minister, marking a historic change in the country’s political leadership just days after parliamentary elections that were marked by low turnout and widespread concerns over jobs, public services and living costs.
King Mohammed VI appointed the 50-year-old lawyer on Tuesday and tasked her with forming the next government. Her Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) won the largest number of seats in the September 23 election, taking 97 of the 395 seats in the House of Representatives.
Under Morocco’s constitution, the king appoints the head of government from the party that wins the most seats in parliamentary elections.
El Mansouri described the appointment as a historic moment and said it was a source of pride for Moroccan women.
From Marrakesh mayor to head of government
El Mansouri brings extensive political experience to the position.
A lawyer by training, she previously served as mayor of Marrakesh and as minister responsible for national territory planning, housing and city policy in the outgoing government. She has also been part of PAM’s collective leadership.
Her political career includes becoming the first woman to serve as mayor of Marrakesh in 2009. She returned to the position after the 2021 local elections.
Her experience within PAM is expected to be relevant as she begins negotiations to form a government.
Coalition talks come first
PAM’s electoral victory does not give it enough seats to govern alone. A parliamentary majority requires 198 seats, meaning El Mansouri must reach an agreement with other parties before presenting a government.
The National Rally of Independents (RNI) won 66 seats, while Istiqlal secured 65. The Justice and Development Party (PJD), which previously led the government, won 54 seats and has indicated that it will remain in opposition.
El Mansouri has said there would be no “red lines” in coalition negotiations, signalling that discussions with other parties will be central to the formation of her administration.
The composition of the coalition will also determine how the new government approaches its economic and social agenda.
Youth pressure will shape the new government
El Mansouri takes office at a time of heightened frustration among younger Moroccans.
Youth unemployment stood at 37.2 percent among people aged 15 to 24 in 2025, while last year’s youth-led protests brought demands for better healthcare, education, employment opportunities and greater political accountability to the forefront of national debate.
The election itself produced a turnout of about 38 percent, a significant decline from the 50.2 percent recorded in 2021. The low participation has renewed questions about political engagement, particularly among younger citizens.
During the campaign, El Mansouri placed young people at the centre of her message, arguing that the government needed to respond to their concerns with practical measures rather than political promises alone.
Her government will therefore face pressure to address unemployment, purchasing power, housing and access to public services.
Balancing growth with everyday concerns
Morocco has invested heavily in infrastructure and economic development in recent years, but the benefits of that growth have not been felt equally across society.
The new government will have to balance major national investment programmes with demands for improvements in education, healthcare, employment and household incomes.
That challenge is particularly important as Morocco prepares for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which it will co-host with Portugal and Spain.
The country is undertaking major infrastructure projects ahead of the tournament, including investment in stadiums, transport and tourism infrastructure. Reuters estimates the broader World Cup-related investment programme at about $20 billion.
For El Mansouri’s government, the question will be how these investments translate into jobs, economic opportunities and improved services for citizens.
A historic appointment within a powerful monarchy
El Mansouri’s appointment is significant for women’s political representation, but her government will operate within Morocco’s constitutional monarchy, where the king retains substantial authority over areas including defence, foreign policy and strategic national affairs.
Her role will therefore involve governing within a political system in which executive authority is shared between elected institutions and the monarchy.
The new prime minister will also inherit major foreign-policy responsibilities, including the government’s position on the disputed Western Sahara, an issue central to Morocco’s national strategy and international relations.
The road ahead
El Mansouri’s first challenge is immediate: build a coalition capable of supporting her government in parliament.
The larger challenge will be translating the political change represented by her appointment into concrete responses to the economic and social pressures that shaped the election campaign.
Her administration will have to navigate youth unemployment, living costs and social disparities while managing one of Morocco’s largest infrastructure programmes in preparation for the 2030 World Cup.
The low turnout in the September election also leaves a broader question for the new government: how to rebuild public engagement with political institutions.
For Morocco, El Mansouri’s appointment changes the face of the government. The coming months will show how that historic political milestone translates into policy, coalition-building and responses to the demands of a younger electorate.
