Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri is tasked with forming a new government after her party emerges as the largest in parliament.

Morocco has made history after King Mohammed VI appointed Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri as the country’s first woman prime minister following the September 23 parliamentary election.

The 50-year-old lawyer was also tasked with forming a new government, setting the stage for coalition negotiations after her party failed to secure an outright majority in parliament.

El Mansouri’s Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) emerged as the largest party in the 395-member House of Representatives, winning 97 seats.

The National Rally of Independents (RNI) came second with 66 seats, followed by Istiqlal with 65 seats, while the Justice and Development Party (PJD) secured 54 seats.

Under Morocco’s constitutional system, the king appoints the head of government from the party that wins the largest number of seats in the House of Representatives.

With PAM short of a parliamentary majority, El Mansouri will have to negotiate with other political parties to form a coalition capable of supporting her government.

El Mansouri, who previously served as Morocco’s urban planning minister and mayor of Marrakech, said she would have no red lines in coalition negotiations.

Her administration is expected to face a number of economic and social challenges, including inflation, wages, employment and growing concerns among young people.

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

The tournament is expected to drive major infrastructure and development projects as Morocco prepares to host matches alongside its co-hosts.

If confirmed, El Mansouri’s appointment would make her only the second woman to serve as prime minister in the Arab world, following Tunisia’s Najla Bouden.

The development comes amid a reported decline in voter turnout, with participation standing at about 38 per cent, compared with roughly 50 per cent in the previous parliamentary election.