Morocco has appointed Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri as the country’s first woman prime minister, marking a historic moment in its political history.

King Mohammed VI named the 50-year-old politician on Tuesday and tasked her with forming a new government, following the victory of her Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) in last week’s parliamentary election.

The PAM won 97 of the 395 seats in the House of Representatives, ahead of the National Rally of Independents with 66 seats and the Istiqlal Party with 65. The Justice and Development Party secured 54 seats.

However, the PAM fell short of the 198 seats required for a parliamentary majority, meaning El Mansouri will need to form a coalition with other parties to establish her government.

El Mansouri, a lawyer, has served as Morocco’s minister responsible for national planning, urban planning, housing and urban policy. She has also served as mayor of Marrakesh, becoming the first woman to hold that position in 2009 before returning to office in 2021.

Her appointment comes as Morocco faces pressure over unemployment, living costs and social disparities, particularly among young people.

During the election campaign, El Mansouri said young Moroccans were experiencing a crisis and called for concrete measures to restore their confidence in the future.

Her government will also oversee major preparations for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which Morocco will co-host with Spain and Portugal.

The parliamentary election recorded turnout of about 38 per cent, one of the lowest levels in Morocco in recent decades. The vote followed youth-led protests over healthcare, education, employment and living conditions.