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Morocco Appoints First Female Prime Minister

King Mohammed VI has asked Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri to form a coalition government that will manage large World Cup investments and immediate economic pressures.

Overview

  • On Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026, the royal palace named Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri prime minister and formally tasked her with forming a new government.
  • El Mansouri’s Authenticity and Modernity Party won the most seats in the Sept. 23 election with 97 of 395 seats but fell far short of the 198 needed for an outright majority, so she must negotiate a coalition.
  • Unverified allegations from unidentified sources accuse El Mansouri of conflict of interest over land deals in Marrakesh; she denies the claims and has launched legal action to contest them.
  • The incoming cabinet will oversee about $20 billion in projects tied to Morocco’s role as a 2030 World Cup co-host and must also address inflation, wages, jobs and youth discontent.
  • The king retains control of key portfolios such as defence and foreign policy, and a turnout of roughly 38 percent has raised questions about the new government’s popular mandate.