Edward Marchesi In September, the influential Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri was appointed Prime Minister of Morocco by King Mohamed VI, becoming the first woman to hold this role in the country's history. A lawyer by training and former mayor of Marrakech for two terms, her appointment followed an electoral victory for the Authenticity and Modernity Party , which secured a parliamentary majority.
The heated debate in Parliament
During a lively Assembly session, a member of parliament addressed El Mansouri with the traditional address, "Mr. Prime Minister." The prime minister's response was terse and ironic: " Madam Prime Minister, please ." With these words, she reversed the script, signaling the need for a change in mentality. The debate quickly shifted to the topic of women's rights , with the prime minister emphasizing the plight of divorced, widowed, or female heads of households, often ignored in public discourse.
Benkirane's Call to the Past
El Mansouri cited an episode, when then-Prime Minister Abdelilah Benkirane called women " lamps that light up the house ." The Prime Minister responded forcefully: " I am not a lamp, but a brain, a conscience, convictions, and a battle ." With this phrase, she denounced the traditionalist vision of some members of the Justice and Development Party , who still oppose a more active role for women in society.
The path that led to power
Born in Ben Guerrir in 1976 to a local middle-class family; her father was a high-ranking diplomatic official. She graduated with a law degree and began her legal career, distinguishing herself by championing social causes. Her political rise began in local government: first as a municipal councilor, then, in 2009, she became the first woman to lead the city of Marrakech, serving two consecutive terms. Her leadership has been marked by urban modernization initiatives and the promotion of tourism, key factors for a city that is one of the main destinations in the Maghreb.
The role of the Party of Authenticity and Modernity
The WFP presents itself as a secular and progressive party, with the stated goal of promoting the country's modernization and gender equality. In the previous parliamentary elections, the party won the most seats, paving the way for El Mansouri's nomination as prime minister. This result was interpreted as a sign of Moroccan society's openness to more inclusive leadership.
The challenges that await the new government
El Mansouri 's term begins at a complex time: the country is preparing to host the 2030 World Cup, co-hosted with Spain and Portugal, while also addressing sensitive social issues such as the reform of the Family Code (Moudawana) . Although the code is already among the most advanced in the Maghreb, gaps persist in the protection of girls and the management of divorce and inheritance. The prime minister has promised a revision that takes into account the needs of working women and single-parent families.
In addition to family law reforms, the government aims to reduce economic inequality, boost employment, especially for women, and strengthen social and educational services. The fight against corruption and a delicate overhaul of the pension system are other items on the agenda. The new leadership must balance its modernization ambitions with resistance from a segment of the conservative opposition.