Morocco government sworn in under first female Prime Minister Fatima El Mansouri

Morocco's government was inaugurated on Friday with its first female Prime Minister, Fatima El Mansouri, leading the ceremony presided over by King Mohammed VI. Ms El Mansouri's cabinet included 20 members, with 11 holding the titles of ministers delegate. The government was formed following El Mansouri's centrist Authenticity and Modernity Party's (PAM) election victory on September 23rd. The PAM secured a coalition deal with three other parties, earning 207 seats in parliament, surpassing the 198-seat majority required.

Several members of the previous government retained their positions, such as Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita and Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit. Other key members who kept their roles were Justice Minister Abdel Latif Wahbi, Nizar Baraka (Minister of Equipment, Water and Forests), Riadh Mezzour (Minister of Industry, Trade, Investment and Economic Integration), Abdellatif Loudiyi (Minister Delegate in charge of Defence), Fouzi Lekjaa (Economy and Finance Minister), Khalid Hatimi (Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries and Food Sovereignty), Nabil Benabdallah (Education Minister), and Charafat Afailal (Energy Minister).

PAM leader Nabil Benabdallah and fellow PPS member Charafat Afailal were among the women appointed to ministerial positions, along with Najwa Kokos, who was given the portfolio of Family, Social Development and Equality.

The new government faces challenges addressing unemployment and demands for improvements in education and healthcare services. They will also oversee the final stages of a $20-billion initiative to prepare for the 2030 World Cup, which Morocco will co-host with Portugal and Spain.