Morocco's king appoints Marrakesh mayor El Mansouri as first woman prime minister

What the report says

King Mohammed VI has appointed Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri, the mayor of Marrakesh, as Morocco’s first woman prime minister, according to the royal palace and France24’s report. The appointment followed parliamentary elections held on September 23, in which El Mansouri’s liberal-centrist, centre-right Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) emerged ahead of other parties, though without an outright majority.

France24 reported that El Mansouri, who is also a former housing minister, has been asked to form the new government. Because her party won 97 of the 395 seats in the House of Representatives, it will need coalition partners for the next five-year term. The king retains broad authority over major policy areas, even as the new cabinet takes shape.

The incoming government is expected to focus on unemployment, rising living costs and wider social inequality, especially among young people. France24 also said Morocco is preparing for major infrastructure and related spending tied to the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which it will co-host with Spain and Portugal.

The report adds broader context about public frustration, including recent youth migration pressure and earlier protests over health and education, while noting that the election had low turnout by historical standards. Because these details were included in the published article, they help frame the challenges awaiting the new prime minister.