Morocco’s king names Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri as first woman prime minister after election win

# What happened King Mohammed VI appointed Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri as Morocco's first woman prime minister and asked her to form a new government following parliamentary elections on Sept. 23. The royal palace announced the appointment after El Mansouri's Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) finished first in the vote.

# Who is El Mansouri Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri is a lawyer who has served as housing minister in the outgoing government and as mayor of Marrakesh. She is a senior figure in PAM, a party founded in 2008 by an adviser to the king that positions itself as socially modernizing and secular-leaning.

# Election results and political balance

# Coalition talks and cabinet formation

# Immediate tasks for the incoming government

• Complete the final stages of Morocco's contribution to the $20 billion 2030 World Cup preparations, which Morocco will co-host with Portugal and Spain.
• Implement economic measures to address youth unemployment and discontent, issues that contributed to recent unrest and a mass border rush on Ceuta.

# Political context and power realities Morocco is a constitutional monarchy in which the king retains significant authority over foreign policy, defense, and other major portfolios. PAM has acted as a counterweight to the PJD by advocating social modernization and secular-leaning policies.

# Notable personnel and campaign moves PAM's rise to first place was bolstered by the late recruitment of Fouzi Lekjaa, Morocco's football federation chief and a two-time government budget manager, who joined PAM weeks before the vote.

# What comes next El Mansouri will hold talks to assemble a coalition and present a proposed cabinet to the king. The composition of that coalition will determine how the government approaches economic reforms, public services, and the World Cup program. The low turnout introduces questions about public trust in elected institutions, a political reality the new government will confront.

# Practical implications for observers Expect a negotiation period as PAM seeks partners to form a majority. Watch appointments to economic and infrastructure portfolios closely for signals about how the government will handle employment and World Cup delivery schedules. Cabinet approval ultimately rests with the king, so major portfolios tied to foreign policy and defense will remain under royal influence.