Morocco appoints first female prime minister

Morocco's King Mohammed VI officially appointed the members of the new government on Friday, led by Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri, the country's first female prime minister. This marks a historic moment in Moroccan politics, where a woman now holds the highest executive office.

New government formed by center-right party

The new government is led by Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri's center-right party, the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), which secured the most votes in the September elections. PAM formed a coalition with the right-wing Istiqlal party and two smaller left-wing groups, giving them control of 210 out of 395 parliamentary seats.

Some ministers retained from previous government

Thirteen of the 31 ministers from the previous government were retained in their positions, including Nasser Bourita at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Abdelouafi Laftit at the Ministry of the Interior. This continuity aims to maintain stability in key areas of governance.

New faces and roles in the government

Fouzi Lekjaa, a new member of the PAM, was promoted to the position of Minister of Economy. Previously, he served as a deputy minister in charge of the Budget and was known for leading the Moroccan Royal Football Federation. His appointment highlights the government's focus on economic reform and development.

Government includes seven women

The new government includes seven women, the same number as the previous administration. This includes the Prime Minister, Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri, signaling a continued effort to increase gender representation in political leadership.

Government faces challenges and future events

After her royal audience, El Mansouri outlined an "ambitious government program, capable of responding to the expectations of citizens." The September election had the lowest voter turnout in nearly twenty years, reflecting public concerns about the cost of living, employment, and inequalities. The new government will also need to prepare for the 2030 World Cup, which Morocco will co-host with Spain and Portugal.