Morocco’s first female prime minister has been appointed after King Mohammed VI named Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri to form the country’s next government on September 29, 2026. Her appointment makes her the first woman to hold Morocco’s top government position and comes days after her Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) emerged as the largest party in the September 23 parliamentary election.
The historic appointment is only the beginning of El Mansouri’s immediate challenge. Her party won 97 of the 395 seats in the House of Representatives, leaving it well short of the 198 seats needed for a majority. She must now negotiate with other parties to form a coalition capable of governing.
Fatima El Mansouri Begins Coalition Talks
The Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri appointment gives her responsibility for building a government around a party that does not control parliament alone.
PAM has indicated that it is open to working with other political groups, including the National Rally of Independents (RNI) and Istiqlal. Those parties won 66 and 65 seats respectively. The Islamist Justice and Development Party (PJD), which won 54 seats, has indicated that it will remain in opposition.
El Mansouri said after her appointment that she would first consult within her party before beginning discussions with other political groups.
A Historic Appointment Amid Economic Pressure
The Morocco new prime minister 2026 faces more than the task of forming a coalition. Youth unemployment, living costs and social inequalities remain major concerns, particularly among younger Moroccans.
The parliamentary election followed a period of youth-led protests over concerns about healthcare and education. Voter turnout was also 38%, according to reports, highlighting the challenge of reconnecting political institutions with a significant part of the electorate.
PAM has promised average annual economic growth of 5%, inflation of 2% and the creation of at least one million jobs during its five-year term. Those promises will now face the practical test of coalition negotiations and government implementation.
El Mansouri Brings National And Local Experience
The Fatima El Mansouri Morocco government will be led by a politician with experience at both local and national levels.
She first became mayor of Marrakesh in 2009, becoming the city’s first female mayor, and later returned to the position in 2021. She also served as Minister of National Spatial Planning, Urban Development, Housing and Urban Policy from 2021. Her previous government work included housing support and urban development programmes.
Her next government will also oversee major preparations and investment decisions connected to the Morocco 2030 World Cup, which the country will co-host with Portugal and Spain.
What To Watch From Morocco’s New Government
El Mansouri’s historic appointment changes the gender milestone at the top of Morocco’s government, but the next stage will be defined by coalition building and policy delivery.
Her first major task is to secure enough political support to form a government. After that, attention will turn to jobs, living costs, public services and the large infrastructure programme connected to the 2030 World Cup.
The appointment is therefore both a historic moment for Moroccan women in politics and the start of a demanding period for the country’s new government.
