Morocco's King Appoints El Mansouri First Female Prime Minister, Only Second Woman PM in Arab World

Morocco has appointed its first woman prime minister: Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri. King Mohammed VI appointed El Mansouri on Tuesday, 29 September 2026.

The official appointment from the King reads: 'The Ministry of the Royal Household, Protocol and Chancellery announces that His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist Him, received on Tuesday, 17 Rabi' al-Thani 1448 AH, corresponding to 29 September, 2026 at the Royal Palace in Rabat, Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri, coordinator of the collective leadership of the Authenticity and Modernity Party, whom the Sovereign has appointed, in accordance with article 47 of the Constitution, as Head of Government, and entrusted with the formation of the new government.'

Who Is Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri?

El Mansouri was born on 3 January 1976 in Marrakesh, into a family of dignitaries. Her father, Abderrahmane El Mansouri, was a pasha, or local governor, of Marrakesh before becoming Morocco's ambassador to the United Arab Emirates. Colonel Abdalla Mansouri is her maternal uncle.

The newly appointed Head of Government studied in French schools in Marrakesh before pursuing law studies in Morocco and France. She earned a degree in private law from Mohammed V University in Rabat, a postgraduate degree in business contract law from the University of Montpellier in France, and a certificate in Anglo-Saxon law from Pace University in the United States.

As a lawyer, she founded a law firm specialising in commercial and real estate transactions before entering politics with the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM, Parti Authenticité et Modernité).

She became the mayor of Marrakesh, also the first woman to hold the position, in 2009. She held the position until 2015 and returned in 2021. Moroccan mayors are elected by city councillors, rather than appointed by the King.

Her party finished first in the 23 September 2026 parliamentary election, winning 97 of the 395 seats in the House of Representatives. However, it fell short of an outright majority.

Only Second Woman PM in the Arab World

PAM finished ahead of the National Rally of Independents (RNI), led by outgoing Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch. El Mansouri's appointment places her in rare company: she is only the second woman to lead a government in the Arab world.

Tunisia's Najla Bouden was the first. She was appointed to form Tunisia's new government in September 2021 and took office in October that year. Bouden was dismissed on 1 August 2023.

In a televised address, El Mansouri described the moment as 'truly historic'. She said: 'For the first time in our country's history, a woman is taking on the responsibility of leading the government... This is a source of pride not only for me but for all Moroccan women.'

Party's Statement

PAM, in an automatically translated Instagram post, said: 'The political office emphasizes her great competence and seriousness, and her ability to manage the next phase with excellence, fulfil the aspirations of His Majesty, and help build a bright Morocco that provides the Moroccan people with a dignified life.'

As a constitutional monarchy, the King retains significant authority in Morocco, including over foreign policy and defence. Under Article 47 of the Constitution, he appoints the Head of Government from the party that comes first in parliamentary elections.

El Mansouri's next task is to form a government. As PAM did not secure a parliamentary majority, she will need to negotiate with other parties to build a governing coalition.