Morocco's Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) has agreed with three other parties to form a governing majority led by Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri, according to a statement the party published on Monday, 12 October. The alliance brings together Istiqlal, the Socialist Union of Popular Forces (USFP) and the Party of Progress and Socialism (PPS), following two rounds of consultations.
The four parties hold 207 of the 395 seats in the House of Representatives, Hespress reported, nine more than the 198 needed for an absolute majority. The agreement identifies the political forces that will support the next government, with the selection of its members still to follow.
The statement said the coalition parties would propose ministerial candidates and prepare the government programme promptly. It listed rights, social justice, territorial equity and stronger productive capacity among its priorities, without announcing a ministerial line-up or a completed detailed programme.
The National Rally of Independents (RNI), which led the outgoing government, is not part of the alliance. The Alakhbar news agency reported that it had chosen opposition after finishing second in the 23 September election. The agreement paves the way for USFP and PPS to return to government after five years in opposition.
King Mohammed VI appointed El Mansouri head of government on 29 September and tasked her with forming the new cabinet under Article 47 of the Constitution, according to the royal statement published on Morocco's official portal. The appointment followed PAM's election victory and made her the first woman appointed to the position in Morocco.
