Rabat — Morocco turned a new page in its political history on Tuesday, as King Mohammed VI appointed Fatima Zahra Mansouri Head of Government, making her the first woman ever to lead the Moroccan executive.
The King received Mansouri, coordinator of the collective leadership of the Party of Authenticity and Modernity (PAM), at the Royal Palace in Rabat and tasked her with forming the country’s next government under Article 47 of the Constitution.
Born in 1976, the 50-year-old official becomes the second-youngest head of government in the country’s independent history, trailing only Mbarek Bekkai, who led Morocco’s first post-independence cabinet in 1955 at the age of 48. Her appointment puts her ahead, in age terms, of predecessors such as Abdelilah Benkirane, who took office in 2011 at 57, Aziz Akhannouch, appointed in 2021 at 60, and Saad Eddine El Othmani, named in 2017 at 61.
Speaking to reporters after the royal audience, Mansouri called the moment historic, noting that for the first time in the Kingdom’s history a woman is taking on the responsibility of heading the government. It is a source of pride for me and for all the women of this nation, she said, adding that her nomination sends a message to all women to engage fully in building a cohesive society.
Mansouri said she would begin internal consultations within her party immediately, before opening talks with all political formations with a view to proposing a government that lives up to the expectations of His Majesty and of all citizens. She acknowledged the weight of the moment, saying she was fully aware of the importance of this phase, which carries major expectations from citizens, especially the youth, and pledged a governing program built on genuine, realistic solutions.
The appointment follows the September 23 legislative elections, which the PAM topped, and comes as Morocco pushes to widen women’s access to the highest levels of political responsibility, a priority the Palace has repeatedly underlined in recent years. Attention now shifts to the shape of the incoming cabinet, which will have to grapple with pressing economic and social challenges in the months ahead.
