Morocco’s First Female-Led Government Confronts Economic Pressures and Political Skepticism

King Mohammed VI of Morocco appointed a new government on October 16, naming Fatima Zohra Al Mansouri as prime minister. Her appointment marks a historic first for the country, making her the first woman to lead Morocco’s executive branch—a development that drew significant international attention.

Domestically, the focus is on Al Mansouri’s affiliation with the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), which secured the largest share of seats in the September parliamentary elections. PAM was founded by Ali Himma, a close associate and advisor to the monarch.

PAM, now governing alongside three coalition partners, holds a dominant position in the new administration. The composition points to continuity rather than a sharp break with the past.

PAM and the Monarchy

Understanding the likely direction of the new government requires examining PAM’s evolution.

Founded in 2008, PAM was created to counter the rise of political Islam, particularly the Justice and Development Party (PJD). The Arab Spring protests reshaped Morocco’s political landscape, creating greater space for parties such as the PJD while somewhat limiting the influence of the establishment, known as the Makhzen.

Himma stepped back from PAM in 2011 to serve as a royal adviser, but the party continued to be viewed by rivals as aligned with the Makhzen.

For years, PAM struggled with the stigma of its origins while working to build broader acceptance. In the 2016 elections, it mounted a strong challenge to the PJD, finishing with the second-largest vote share and cementing its status as a legitimate political force—though still not enough to lead the government.

The party later reinvented itself by refreshing its leadership and gaining governing experience as a coalition partner in the 2021 administration. In the most recent elections, PAM finally emerged victorious.

That victory, however, should be viewed in context: 62 percent of eligible voters abstained, and authorities had to issue public appeals urging citizens to cast their ballots on election day.

Beyond low turnout, suspicions of electoral irregularities surfaced, though the non-release of certain official records prevented observers and political parties from obtaining concrete evidence.

The elections also featured the familiar tactic of recruiting high-profile figures late in the campaign to boost electoral appeal. Just two months before voting, Faouzi Laaqjea, president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation and a popular figure due to the national team’s successes, officially joined PAM.

To secure a parliamentary majority, PAM formed a coalition with parties that had previously questioned its legitimacy. While the alliance strengthens PAM’s standing, it may damage the credibility of its coalition partners and their leaders.

The new cabinet retains more than half of its predecessor’s members, including the so-called sovereign ministries that fall directly under the king’s prerogative. Many Moroccans are questioning the purpose of the elections if the same figures return to govern.

Challenges on the Horizon

The new government has proposed an ambitious program to address mounting domestic pressure as the cost-of-living crisis intensifies. At the first Council of Ministers meeting, chaired by the king on October 17, a 2027 finance bill was introduced with a stronger focus on social issues, citizens’ purchasing power, and youth inclusion.

This agenda confronts an unfavorable international economic environment characterized by rising energy prices and higher input costs for key Moroccan sectors, including phosphate production.

The state-owned OCP Group, which manages phosphate extraction and processing and represents one of Morocco’s principal sources of wealth, is currently facing significant difficulties.

There are also concerns about the potential impact of El Niño, which could bring drier weather and threaten food security in a country that has just endured seven consecutive years of drought.

Tourism, another major revenue source, may also suffer from a global travel slowdown, rising transport costs, and uncertainty linked to tensions in the Gulf and Europe.

Consequently, conditions are far from favorable for the new administration, and public opinion remains broadly skeptical.

Finally, the government must contend with an experienced and vocal opposition, represented by the Islamist PJD and the radical left.

Even ministers overseeing sovereign portfolios face serious challenges. The foreign minister must manage public opposition to normalizing relations with Israel, while the interior minister must address allegations of electoral manipulation.

The minister of religious affairs faces fallout from controversial remarks describing Morocco as a secular country and comments about Ceuta—known as Sebta in Morocco—made during a religious ceremony. The statements were poorly received by Spanish authorities.

The new government has an ambitious agenda, but its tenure will be shaped by difficult domestic and international circumstances largely beyond its control.

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