Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri: Who Are Morocco's 32 Ministers?
King Mohammed VI presided over the appointment ceremony for Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri's 32-member government, as she becomes the first woman to lead a government in Morocco.
King Mohammed VI presided, on Friday, October 16, 2026, at the Royal Palace in Rabat, over the ceremony appointing the members of Morocco's new government, led by Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri, who becomes the first woman in Morocco's history to head a government. The new cabinet's members took the oath before the King. The government comprises 32 members, ministers and deputy ministers, within a coalition bringing together four parties: the Party of Authenticity and Modernity (PAM), Istiqlal, the Socialist Union of Popular Forces (USFP), and the Party of Progress and Socialism (PPS).
Key new and returning ministers
The new government combines fresh faces with sovereign ministers kept in their posts. The table below lists the main names and portfolios:
| Name | Portfolio | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri | Head of Government | New Head of Government (PAM) |
| Abdelouafi Laftit | Interior | Retained |
| Nasser Bourita | Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Abroad | Retained |
| Abdellatif Ouahbi | Justice | Retained |
| Ahmed Toufiq | Islamic Affairs (Habous) | Retained |
| Fouzi Lekjaa | Economy, Finance and Public Performance | - |
| Charafat Afilal | Energy, Mines and Sustainable Development | New minister (PPS) |
| Khalid Hatimi | Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries and Food Sovereignty | New minister (PAM) |
| Youns Bjijou | Health and Social Protection | New minister (USFP) |
| Najwa Koukouss | Family, Social Development and Equality | New minister (PAM) |
| Samir Belfkih | Territorial Planning, Urbanism, Housing and City Policy; government spokesperson | New minister (PAM) |
Background to the government's formation
The new government's installation comes weeks after the September 23, 2026 legislative elections, won by PAM with 97 of 395 seats. King Mohammed VI appointed Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri Head of Government on September 29, tasking her with forming her team, before PAM, Istiqlal, USFP and PPS announced, on October 12, their agreement on a governing coalition under her leadership. The new government also created a new ministry for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Transformation and Administrative Reform, entrusted to Ahmed Rahhou.
What this government means for Moroccans
Beyond becoming the first woman to lead a government in Morocco's history, El Mansouri made a point of bringing new female faces into her team: six women obtained new ministerial portfolios, according to several Moroccan press sources. Following the appointment ceremony, El Mansouri said her government would "shape and implement an ambitious program that meets citizens' expectations, in line with the King's high directives." The new cabinet will quickly have to confront pressing economic and social issues, from purchasing power to preparing the 2028 budget.