Morocco Elections: Fatima Zahra Mansouri Leads PAM to Victory
Fatima Zahra Mansouri led the PAM party to victory in Morocco's parliamentary elections, raising prospects for the nation's first female prime minister, pending royal approval.
Fatima Zahra Mansouri, leader of the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), secured a major victory in Morocco's recent parliamentary elections, raising the possibility of the kingdom's first female prime minister. However, her appointment ultimately depends on King Mohammed VI.
Election Results and Political Shifts
The social-democratic yet royalist-leaning PAM secured 97 out of 395 parliamentary seats, gaining ten seats compared to the 2021 elections. Meanwhile, its coalition partner and the ruling National Rally of Independents (RNI) dropped significantly from 95 to 66 seats.
-
PAM seats: 97
-
RNI seats: 66
-
Istiqlal seats: 65
Mansouri, a lawyer and former mayor of Marrakesh, could become the second female prime minister in the Arab world, following Najla Bouden Ramdhane in Tunisia. Despite constitutional provisions guiding the appointment of the prime minister from the winning party, King Mohammed VI retains the authority to select another candidate from within PAM.
Potential Contenders and Opposition Growth
Other potential contenders from within the party include Fouzi Lekjaa, former minister and president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, and outgoing Culture and Communication Minister Mohamed Mehdi.
"The political landscape is shifting, but final authority remains firmly with the royal palace," noted political analysts following the vote.
Meanwhile, the Islamist Justice and Development Party made a notable comeback, rising to 54 seats after collapsing in 2021. Their campaign prominently featured vocal opposition to Morocco's strengthening diplomatic ties with Israel.
