Morocco: Abdellah Tourabi highlights the importance of El Mansouri’s political background in his appointment
On September 29, 2026, King Mohammed VI appointed Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri as head of the Moroccan government and tasked her with forming a new team. The first woman to lead Morocco’s government, she assumed this position following her party’s victory in the parliamentary elections. On RFI’s « Afrique Midi » program, political journalist Abdellah Tourabi emphasized that this appointment was also due to her political background.
A nomination following the PAM victory
The Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), whose collective leadership is coordinated by El Mansouri, came out on top in the parliamentary elections of September 23. The final results published by the Moroccan Ministry of the Interior awarded it 97 seats. The National Rally of Independents (RNI) obtained 66 seats and the Istiqlal Party, 65.
The statement from the Moroccan Ministry of the Royal Household, relayed by the institutional portal Maroc.ma, specifies that the appointment was made in accordance with Article 47 of the Constitution. It also indicates that the new head of government is tasked with forming the next cabinet. Following her appointment, discussions with political parties were presented as a future step; therefore, the announcement does not imply that the composition of the government was already known.
A political journey beyond the election result
The title of the interview broadcast by RFI highlights Abdellah Tourabi’s analysis: according to the journalist, El Mansouri’s appointment is also due to her political experience. She has notably held positions within the PAM (Authenticity and Modernity Party) and occupied public offices, including that of Minister of Territorial Development, Urban Planning, and Housing. The Associated Press also indicates that she was mayor of Marrakech.
This interpretation should be distinguished from the institutional fact: the royal communiqué confirms the appointment and the mission to form the government, but does not detail the political reasons for this choice. The explanation related to his background falls under the analysis of Tourabi, a guest on the program.
A historic first, a government yet to be formed
The appointment marks a first for Morocco: a woman is being called upon to lead the government. It constitutes an event of political representation, but does not in itself allow us to draw conclusions about the place of women in Moroccan political life as a whole, or about the priorities of the future cabinet.
The next step is the formation of the government team. The parties and their potential alliances will need to be taken into account in this process. As of September 30, 2026, the available information confirms El Mansouri’s appointment and his mission; however, it does not yet allow for the government’s composition or program to be finalized.
Source: Women: news, podcasts, videos and analysis – RFI
Verification: Royal communiqué relayed by Maroc.ma and final election results published by the Moroccan Ministry of the Interior.
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