Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri Succeeds Akhannouch
Power Transfer Ceremony Marks New Chapter for Moroccan Government
The power transfer between Aziz Akhannouch and Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri took place on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at the headquarters of the government presidency in Rabat. This ceremony represents the effective beginning of a transition at the helm of the Executive, following the appointment of the new government by King Mohammed VI just the day before.
An Official Transition at the Head of Government
Aziz Akhannouch officially handed over governmental responsibilities to Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri, the national coordinator of the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), who was appointed as the head of government on September 29.
This ceremonial passing of the torch occurred less than twenty-four hours after the members of the new Executive were appointed at the Royal Palace in Rabat. The government consists of 32 members, including seven women and eleven ministers delegated, drawn from a majority alliance that includes PAM, the Istiqlal Party, the Socialist Union of Popular Forces (USFP), and the Party of Progress and Socialism (PPS).
At the conclusion of the handover, both leaders reviewed key strategic issues and ongoing projects. Discussions particularly focused on the continuation of social projects, support for economic initiatives, and the improvement of public administration efficiency, in line with royal directives.
Former Partners Now on Opposing Sides
This transition occurs amid a reconfiguration of the Moroccan political landscape following the legislative elections on September 23, 2026.
During the previous legislature, Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri served as the Minister of National Land Planning, Urban Planning, Housing, and City Policy in the government led by Aziz Akhannouch. At that time, PAM was part of the governing coalition alongside the National Rally of Independents (RNI) and Istiqlal.
However, the election results changed the power dynamics among these parties. PAM emerged as the leading party with 97 seats in the House of Representatives, while RNI secured 66 seats, down from 102 in the 2021 elections. Istiqlal obtained 65 seats.
On October 12, Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri announced the formation of a new majority excluding RNI. This coalition includes PAM, Istiqlal, USFP, and PPS, the latter two of which were in opposition during the previous legislature.
With a total of 207 deputies out of 395, this majority surpasses the 198 seats needed for an absolute majority in the House of Representatives, thereby relegating Aziz Akhannouch’s party to the ranks of the opposition.
Parliamentary Investiture: The Next Critical Step
Despite the appointment of the new Executive, its parliamentary investiture remains a crucial milestone. Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri is set to present her government’s program before both houses of Parliament in a joint plenary session on Monday, October 19, 2026, starting at 3 PM.
In accordance with Article 88 of the Constitution, the government will only receive its investiture after obtaining approval of its program by an absolute majority in the House of Representatives.
This deadline comes as the new Executive must also make progress on several priority issues, particularly the preparation of the draft financial law for 2027.
The budgetary text must be examined in the Council of Ministers before its submission to the House of Representatives, no later than October 20. Fouzi Lekjaa, who previously held the position of Minister Delegate for the Budget, now heads the Ministry of Economy, Finance, and Public Performance.
The new government team will thus need to reconcile the commitments of its program with the economic and social priorities of the Kingdom, alongside immediate budgetary deadlines, while the parliamentary investiture process remains to be completed.
