Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri Named Morocco’s First Female Prime Minister

King Mohammed VI taps the longtime mayor of Marrakesh to lead the next government, a historic first for the kingdom.

By

Manel Msalmi

Researcher and expert in international politics, specializing in Middle Eastern issues, gender equality, and the fight against extremism. She is the president of the European Association for the Defence of Minorities, co-president of ETHAN, and editor in chief of Faith and Freedom News, and has founded numerous initiatives for human rights and women’s leadership. An author and frequent speaker for the UN, the EU, and European universities, she has received numerous awards for her work combating antisemitism and hate speech, and for promoting peace.

Rabat, Morocco — In a historic move, King Mohammed VI has appointed Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri as Morocco’s first female Prime Minister (Head of Government). The announcement came on 29 September 2026, just days after her Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) secured the most seats in the 23 September parliamentary elections.

El Mansouri, 50, a lawyer and longtime mayor of Marrakesh, becomes only the second woman to lead a government in the Arab world, following Tunisia’s Najla Bouden. She succeeds Aziz Akhannouch and has been tasked with forming a new coalition government.

Key Background

• Party victory: PAM won 97 of the 395 seats in the House of Representatives, ahead of the National Rally of Independents (66 seats) and Istiqlal (65 seats). Voter turnout was notably low at around 38%.
• Political career: El Mansouri first became mayor of Marrakesh in 2009 (the city’s first female mayor) and returned to the post in 2021. She also served as Minister of National Territory Planning, Urban Planning, Housing and City Policy in the previous government.
• Education and early life: Born 3 January 1976 in Marrakesh, she studied law at Mohammed V University in Rabat, continued her studies in France (University of Montpellier) and the United States, and practiced as a lawyer specializing in business and property law before entering politics. She joined PAM shortly after its founding in 2008.

“A truly historic moment… a source of pride not only for me but for all Moroccan women.”Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri, after meeting the King at the Royal Palace in Rabat

She is now expected to begin coalition negotiations promptly. The new government will face major tasks, including economic challenges, youth employment, and preparations for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which Morocco will co-host with Spain and Portugal.

This marks a significant milestone for women’s representation in Moroccan and Arab politics.