• Fatima Zahra El Mansouri becomes Morocco’s first female prime minister.
• She is only the second woman to lead a government in the Arab world.
• El Mansouri's party, PAM, won 97 seats in the recent parliamentary elections.
• The new government faces the challenge of coalition-building to achieve a majority.
• Morocco aims to prepare for the 2030 FIFA World Cup during her term.

Fatima Zahra El Mansouri has been appointed as Morocco's first female prime minister, making her a significant political figure in the Arab world as the second woman ever to hold such a position, following Tunisia's Najla Bouden. Her appointment came after her party, the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), secured the most seats in the September 23 parliamentary elections, winning 97 out of 395 seats in the House of Representatives, according to BBC and Al Jazeera.

El Mansouri, who has served as a member of the government and the mayor of Marrakesh, remarked that her appointment is "truly historic," emphasizing its significance for Moroccan women. As part of her new role, she faces the task of forming a coalition government since her party does not hold an outright majority, needing to negotiate partnerships to achieve the required 198 seats, as noted by Reuters.

The political landscape in Morocco is shaped by the need for coalition-building, especially with the former ruling party, the Islamist Justice and Development Party (PJD), winning 54 seats but choosing to remain in opposition. The PAM has stated its willingness to negotiate with all parties, but some, including the PJD, have expressed intentions to stay out of coalition talks, which complicates El Mansouri's task, according to BBC and Reuters.

El Mansouri’s government will not only focus on governance but also oversee preparations for the upcoming 2030 FIFA World Cup, which Morocco will co-host with Portugal and Spain. This includes the management of significant financial investments aimed at economic improvements and addressing public discontent highlighted by recent social issues, as detailed by Al Jazeera and Reuters.