Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri Becomes Morocco's First Female Prime Minister Following General Election

The 2026 Moroccan general election saw the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), led by Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri, emerge as the largest party in Morocco's House of Representatives. The election took place on 23/09/2026, with voters choosing representatives for the 395-seat lower chamber of parliament. PAM secured 112 seats, ahead of the National Rally of Independents, which won 91, and the Istiqlal Party, which obtained 68. No party achieved the 198 seats required for an outright parliamentary majority, making coalition negotiations necessary. The final results gave PAM 97 seats, the National Rally of Independents 66 and the Istiqlal Party 65. Voter turnout was 38.08%, down from 50.86% in 2021. On 29/09/2026, King Mohammed VI appointed El Mansouri as Morocco's first female prime minister, succeeding Aziz Akhannouch. A former mayor of Marrakech and housing minister, she subsequently formed a four-party coalition government, sworn in on 16/10/2026. Historical Significance: El Mansouri's appointment made her the first woman to lead Morocco's government, while PAM's election victory ended the National Rally of Independents' position as the largest parliamentary party.