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Morocco's King Appoints Marrakesh Mayor El Mansouri as First Woman Prime Minister
She must build a coalition and deliver investment plans tied to the 2030 FIFA World Cup, while addressing inflation, wages and jobs.
On Tuesday, King Mohammed VI appointed Urban Planning Minister Fatima Zahra Mansouri as Morocco's prime minister, making her the first woman to hold the position in the Muslim kingdom.
Mansouri's Authenticity and Modernity Party secured 97 seats in last week's legislative elections; because this falls short of the 198 seats required for an absolute majority, she must now negotiate a governing coalition.
A lawyer by training, the 50-year-old Mansouri previously served as mayor of Marrakech and Urban Planning Minister, becoming the second woman to lead an Arab government after Tunisia's Najla Bouden.
Tasked with forming a cabinet, the prime minister-designate faces pressure to address inflation and unemployment; she stated on Thursday she has no "red lines" in coalition negotiations, aiming to finalize leadership ahead of a $20-billion push for the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
This appointment signals a shift in integrating women into senior institutional roles, though the new government faces the challenge of addressing widespread youth discontent, reflected in election turnout that fell to about 38% from around 50% five years ago.
Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri has been appointed as the new Prime Minister of Morocco. This was announced by the royal palace in that country. El Mansouri is the first woman to be appointed to the post. El Mansouri is currently the mayor of Marrakesh.
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