Morocco’s First Female Prime Minister Navigates a Historic Appointment
King Mohammed VI’s selection of Fatima Zahra El Mansouri as prime minister has sparked debate and satire across Morocco.
Royal Appointment Breaks New Ground
King Mohammed VI named Fatima Zahra El Mansouri as Morocco’s first female prime minister, a move described by the premier herself as a milestone for Moroccan women.
El Mansouri, 50, leads the Authenticity and Modernity Party (Pam), which secured the most seats in the September parliamentary election and has formed a coalition with three other parties, together holding 207 of the 395 seats.
Religious Echoes Resurface
An old Islamic saying—“a people who entrust their affairs to a woman will never succeed”—has reappeared in public discourse since the appointment.
Mustafa Ramid, a former justice minister in an Islamist‑led government, cited the proverb in a lengthy Facebook post earlier this month, questioning whether a woman should hold the country’s highest political office.
Ramid argued that Morocco, a Muslim‑majority nation, had found a balance between equality and state leadership responsibilities, noting that the king’s position remains reserved for men.
Constitutional Context
Morocco operates as a constitutional monarchy, yet executive power remains in the hands of the 63‑year‑old monarch.
Public Reaction on the Streets
The day after the appointment, local broadcaster Chouf TV sent reporters to the streets to ask Moroccan men what they thought of a woman heading the government.
Most respondents, primarily middle‑aged or older, hesitated before answering. One grey‑haired man, who declined to give his name or age, said, “It feels strange to have a woman as head of government. I’m not sure if it sits well with me.”
Several men said they accepted the decision because it was the king’s choice.
Online Satire and Youth Reception
Online, the appointment became fodder for political satire, including a widely shared video of two women pulling each other’s hair with captions suggesting it represented parliamentary disagreements involving El Mansouri.
Many younger Moroccans, particularly women, expressed welcome for the historic appointment.
Legal Note
Criticism of the monarchy carries legal risks in Morocco, as the penal code criminalises certain forms of offence or insult against the king, the royal family and the monarchy.
The appointment marks a first in Moroccan politics, but the country’s reaction shows a mix of tradition, humor, and cautious optimism.
