For the first time, Morocco has a female Prime Minister.
King Mohammed VI named Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri as PM after her party won the most votes in the country’s general election last week.
In a statement, she said it is a “historic moment”.
It comes as a member of her party is under investigation for electoral fraud.
Here’s what you need to know.
Background
Similar to Australia, Morocco’s head of state is a monarch (King Mohammed VI) and its head of government is a Prime Minister.
The King appoints the leader of the party that wins the most seats at a general election to lead the country.
In 2025, Morocco was one of many countries that saw Gen Z-led protests.
Young Moroccans campaigned for improved healthcare, education, employment, as well as an end to corruption and what they considered to be misdirected government spending.
Appointment
Morocco’s general election was held on Wednesday 23 September.
The Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) won the most votes of any party, with 97 of 395 seats.
Voter turnout was around 38%, compared to around 51% at the last general election.
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As the leader of PAM, Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri was appointed by the King this week, making her the first woman to lead the country.
El Mansouri is a lawyer who served as the mayor of Marrakesh from 2009 to 2015 and again from 2021 until she ran for Parliament at this election.
Addressing her appointment, El Mansouri said: “We are fully aware that this is a crucial period, accompanied by high expectations from citizens, especially the youth.”
Last year, allegations surfaced on social media that El Mansouri had a conflict of interest over land she sold in Marrakesh.
She denied the allegations, calling them “defamatory campaigns”.
“This is a source of pride not only for me but for all the women of this nation...
This serves as a message to all women of the Kingdom: while we will certainly work with everyone – as a society – I, as a woman, understand the circumstances women face.”
Fatima El Mansouri speaking after her appointment as the first female Prime Minister of Morocco.
Fraud claims
This week, local media reported PAM regional leader Mounir Limouri is being investigated for electoral violations.
Limouri is also the mayor of Tangier, Morocco’s second-biggest city.
It came after a person was captured on video carrying a bag of ballot papers on the day of the election.
Former Prime Minister and leader of the conservative Islamist Justice and Development Party Abdelilah Benkirane called PAM’s victory “tainted” due to the fraud investigation.
He also said he would not work with the PAM-led government.
