Appointed on Friday 16 October by Mohammed VI, Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri’s government combines political renewal with continuity, bringing together the majority parties with figures from the civil service and academia.

As the first woman to become head of the Moroccan government, Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri takes the helm of a 32-member team, including herself. Read details here: Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri, Morocco’s First Female Head of Government

The team comprises seven women, accounting for nearly 22 per cent of its members.

Beyond the appointment of a woman as its head, the team will be judged on its ability to bring together political leaders and technical experts, and to translate its broad range of expertise into tangible results in education, health and employment.

A ‘homogeneous’ majority, according to El Mansouri.

Following the appointment ceremony, Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri stated that the government would work to draw up and implement an ambitious programme, meeting citizens’ expectations and addressing the country’s major challenges, in line with King Mohammed VI’s guidelines set out in the Throne Speech and the speech marking the opening of Parliament.

“This government comprises a working group made up of four political parties that share a common ideological framework and a convergence of policies, with whom we have worked in the past from different positions. Today, these parties form a homogeneous majority with a unified vision and a common programme of action,” she told the press.

Saying she was honoured by the Sovereign’s appointment of the members of the government, Ms El Mansouri emphasised that the new executive brought together figures recognised for their expertise, whilst highlighting the representation of women and young people.

She explained that the government’s programme would be presented to both Houses of Parliament and would propose solutions to the aspirations of citizens. Its implementation, she added, will be carried out in a spirit of responsibility, through public policies designed to have a positive impact on society.

Composition of the Government

The former Minister for Regional Planning, Urban Development and Housing will be responsible for coordinating an executive comprising several leading figures from the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), the Istiqlal Party, the Socialist Union of Popular Forces (USFP) and the Party of Progress and Socialism (PPS).

The PAM at the heart of the system

The political affiliations identified reveal a dominant presence of the PAM, with eleven members, including the head of government. In particular, the party controls the Ministry of Justice and the broader Ministry of Youth, Culture and Sport.

The PAM Liberal Party is also responsible for Higher Education, Agriculture and Regional Planning.

The conservative “Istiqlal” party holds six ministerial portfolios, namely Public Works, Water and Forests, Industry, Trade, Investment and Economic Inclusion, and Transport and Logistics.

The Left, which was expected to take charge of social issues, has been entrusted with the portfolios of Employment and Social Dialogue, Sea Fisheries, Early Years Education and the fight against school drop-out rates, Administrative Reform, and National Education. Similarly, the portfolios for Energy, Mining and Sustainable Development, as well as Social Inclusion, have been entrusted to Moroccan left-wing parties.

A government that claims to be up to the task

“We have an ambitious government programme, capable of meeting citizens’ expectations,” the head of government told the state media following the royal reception.

In particular, she will need to tackle social and regional inequalities, a major challenge in Morocco.

At the end of July, the unprecedented and massive influx of young Moroccans seeking to reach Sebta highlighted the lack of prospects for some young people.

“The government places citizens’ dignity, social justice and regional equity at the heart of its priorities. Reducing inequalities and strengthening rights and freedoms form the basis of this commitment,” said government spokesperson Samir Belfkih, who is also Minister for Regional Planning.

Reducing disparities and restoring citizens’ confidence in public policy will therefore be among the new government’s key priorities.

The government will also have to oversee preparations for the 2030 World Cup, which will be co-hosted with Spain and Portugal.

If you missed it: After Ceuta, the King of Morocco defends new “Partnership” with Spain