🔶 Historic appointment; a woman for the first time heads the government of Morocco

Fatemeh Zahra Mansouri has been appointed to head the government of Morocco. She is the first woman in this country who now holds the position of prime minister, and King Mohammed VI of Morocco has tasked her with forming a government.

The “Authenticity and Modernity” party, led by Mansouri, became the strongest political force in Morocco in parliamentary elections held one week ago. Now, this 50-year-old politician has defeated her fellow party member, Fouzi Lekjaa, the head of the Moroccan Football Federation, in the race for the role. The popular president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation had been considered the main contender to take up the post of head of government after the victory of the Authenticity and Modernity party in the elections.

Before Mansouri’s appointment, many citizens had supported the idea of a woman leading the government. In contrast, conservative religious circles have criticized this choice. According to them, it is unclear how a woman can participate in the religious ceremonies of the king in this Muslim-majority country.

Mansouri, who is a lawyer, became the first woman to serve as mayor of her hometown in Morocco in 2009. She has been among the party’s top senior leaders for the past two years, and in the government that is currently stepping down, she was the minister of housing.