**Title: Morocco Appoints First Female Prime Minister, Marking a Historic Milestone**
**Date: September 29, 2026**
In a groundbreaking move for gender representation in politics, Morocco’s King Mohammed VI has appointed Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri as the country's first female prime minister. This significant appointment also makes her the second woman in the Arab world to hold such a position, following Tunisia's Najla Bouden, who served from October 2021 until August 2023.
El Mansouri, 50, has previously held the position of urban planning minister and has served as the mayor of Marrakesh, where she was first elected in 2009. Her appointment comes just days after the announcement of the results from the recent legislative elections, where her party, the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), emerged as the winner, securing 97 out of 395 seats in the House of Representatives, Morocco's lower house of parliament.
In a televised address following her appointment, El Mansouri described the moment as “truly historic,” emphasizing its significance for Moroccan women. “For the first time in our country’s history, a woman is taking on the responsibility of leading the government,” she stated, expressing pride not only for herself but for all women in Morocco.
Despite PAM's electoral success, the party fell short of the 198 seats required for an outright majority. Consequently, El Mansouri's immediate challenge will be to form a coalition government, as several parties, including the Justice and Development Party (PJD) and the Federation of Democratic Left, have indicated their intention to remain in opposition.
The new governing coalition will play a crucial role in determining the allocation of substantial investments, particularly in preparation for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which Morocco will co-host alongside Portugal and Spain. The coalition's decisions will be pivotal in addressing the country's development needs and urban planning initiatives.
Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri was born in Marrakesh in 1976 and has an academic background in law, holding a diploma in advanced studies from the University of Montpellier in France, as well as a diploma in Anglo-Saxon business law from New York University. Her early entry into local governance began with her election as mayor of Marrakesh, where she made history as the first woman to hold the position.
After her initial term as mayor, El Mansouri was re-elected in 2021 and subsequently transitioned to national government, where she took on the role of Minister of National Spatial Planning, Urban Development, Housing, and Urban Policy. In this capacity, she was involved in several key initiatives, including a direct housing support program and reforms related to urban planning and spatial development, as well as efforts to assist those affected by the Al Haouz earthquake.
El Mansouri's appointment is seen as a significant step forward for gender equality in Moroccan politics and is likely to inspire a new generation of women leaders in the region. As she embarks on this new chapter in her political career, the eyes of the nation and the Arab world will be on her leadership and the coalition government she is set to form.