Morocco’s King Mohammed VI has appointed Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri as the country’s first female Prime Minister and tasked her with forming a new government.

The appointment followed the September 23 parliamentary election, in which El Mansouri’s Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) emerged as the largest party in the 395-member House of Representatives.

PAM secured 97 seats, ahead of the National Rally of Independents, which won 66 seats, and the Istiqlal Party, which obtained 65 seats.

Under Morocco’s constitution, the King appoints the head of government from the party that wins the largest number of seats in the House of Representatives. However, PAM fell short of the 198 seats required for an outright majority, meaning El Mansouri will need to negotiate with other parties to form a coalition government.

The 50-year-old lawyer previously served as mayor of Marrakech and held the position of minister responsible for national territory planning, urban development, housing and city policy.

She first became mayor of Marrakech in 2009 and returned to the position following the 2021 elections.

El Mansouri’s appointment makes her the first woman to lead Morocco’s government and the second woman to serve as prime minister in the Arab world, following Tunisia’s Najla Bouden.

Her administration will face the task of addressing economic and social challenges, including youth unemployment and concerns over the cost of living and public services.

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

El Mansouri is expected to begin coalition talks as she works towards forming a new cabinet for royal approval.