World News

Morocco names Fatima Zahra Mansouri as country's first female prime minister

King Mohammed VI tasks the Authenticity and Modernity Party leader with forming a coalition government

Updated Sep 30, 2026 · 00:13 UTC7 reports

The short version

King Mohammed VI appointed Fatima Zahra Mansouri as Morocco's first female prime minister after her party led parliamentary elections.[France 24 · ABC News]
Mansouri is the second woman to serve as prime minister across the Arab world.[ABC News]
Her party must form a coalition government, as its 97 seats fall short of a majority in parliament.[France 24 · ABC News]
Opposition leader Abdelilah Benkirane has ruled out participating, alleging without details that the election was tainted by fraud.[France 24]

King Mohammed VI appointed Fatima Zahra Mansouri as Morocco's first female prime minister following parliamentary elections.[France 24 · ABC News]
The Authenticity and Modernity Party won 97 seats in the 395-seat assembly, leading over the National Rally of Independents with 66 and Istiqlal with 65.[France 24]
Mansouri is the second woman to hold the position of prime minister in the Arab world, following Najla Bouden in Tunisia.[ABC News]
Former prime minister Abdelilah Benkirane of the Justice and Development Party rejected entering a PAM-led coalition, alleging the election was tainted by fraud without providing details.[France 24]

The final makeup of the ruling coalition remains undecided as negotiations among parliamentary parties get underway.[France 24 · ABC News]
Details supporting allegations of election fraud raised by the Justice and Development Party leadership have not been provided.[France 24]

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.