Morocco’s Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri Set to Begin Formal Government Coalition Negotiations
Rabat, The Gulf Observer: Morocco’s designated Head of Government, Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri, will begin formal negotiations this week to form the country’s next governing coalition after receiving a unanimous mandate from the National Council of the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM).
The decision was taken during an extraordinary session of the PAM National Council at the Skhirat Convention Center, following the party’s victory in Morocco’s September 23 legislative elections.
Speaking to Moroccan media after the meeting, El Mansouri said the session represented a decisive stage in determining PAM’s approach to the formation of the next government. She noted that party members had engaged in extensive discussions over potential alliances, with differing views on possible coalition partners.
The National Council ultimately voted unanimously to authorize El Mansouri, together with a committee appointed by the party’s Political Bureau, to lead negotiations with political parties represented in Parliament.
El Mansouri said initial consultations had already been completed and that the process would now move into a formal phase. She stressed that the objective was to establish a strong and effective government capable of responding to citizens’ expectations.
PAM emerged as the largest party in the September 23 elections, winning 97 of the 395 seats in the House of Representatives. However, it fell well short of the 198 seats required for an absolute majority, making coalition-building essential for the formation of the next government.
The coalition talks come amid differing positions among political parties regarding the composition of the next governing majority. Some PAM members have reportedly opposed simply renewing the previous coalition arrangement, particularly another alliance with the National Rally of Independents (RNI). Istiqlal Party Secretary-General Nizar Baraka also indicated that PAM had decided against renewing its previous majority with the RNI.
El Mansouri, who was appointed by King Mohammed VI to form the next government, became Morocco’s first woman to hold the position of head of government. Her administration will face major challenges, including employment, economic and social pressures, and the implementation of major national development projects.
The formal negotiations are expected to determine the parties that will participate in the next governing coalition as Morocco moves toward the formation of its new government.
