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Morocco’s not-so-new government faces new challenges
· Confirmed
In Short: Despite the challenges, Al Jazeera (Qatar) and HESPRESS English - Morocco News noted that the appointment of Al Mansouri presents a clear political paradox, as she begins coalition talks to form a government.
Morocco appointed Fatima Zohra Al Mansouri as its first female prime minister, a move that has drawn international attention. According to Al Jazeera (Qatar) and Kuwaittimes, King Mohammed VI named Al Mansouri, who previously served as mayor of Marrakech, to the position on October 16.
Al Jazeera (Qatar) and HESPRESS English - Morocco News reported that Al Mansouri faces a challenging agenda that includes sustaining economic growth, addressing social pressures, and preparing for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which Morocco will co-host with Spain and Portugal.
Meanwhile, the country is also dealing with a significant migration crisis. The Guardian and The Smh (Australia) reported that at least 5,000 migrants, including 1,200 minors, remain in Ceuta, a Spanish enclave near Morocco, weeks after an estimated 80,000 people illegally crossed from Morocco.
The Guardian and Novinite both noted that the migrants are putting additional strain on the city of Ceuta, which has a population of only 83,000 people. The Spanish government has set up accommodation for the migrants in a tented site in the port area.
Al Jazeera (Qatar) and Thenationalnews reported that the migration crisis is complicating Morocco's international relations. Smh (Australia) quoted Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska as rejecting claims that Moroccan border guards encouraged migrants to cross into Ceuta.
Jpost (Israel) reported that Morocco is also focusing on strengthening ties with Israel. Israeli Foreign Minister Eliyahu Ashkenazi and Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita signed a declaration outlining practical ways to upgrade ties between the two countries.
Turkiyetoday (Türkiye) and Kuwaittimes quoted Al Mansouri as saying her appointment was 'truly historic' and that she was tasked with forming the new government.
Al Jazeera (Qatar) highlighted that the minister of religious affairs is facing controversy over remarks about Morocco as a secular country and comments about Ceuta, known in Morocco as Sebta, made during a religious ceremony.
In summary, while the exact number of migrants remaining in Ceuta differs between reports, all outlets agree that Morocco is facing significant challenges, including a migration crisis and the need to form a new government under its first female prime minister.
What's confirmed
- El Mansouri announced her appointment was "truly historic” in a televised address.
- The royal cabinet tasked the 50-year-old, who previously served as housing minister, with "forming the new government".
What's still developing
- The party was established in 2008 with the aim of countering the rise of political Islam in Morocco and in particular, the Justice and Development Party (PJD).
- In 2011, Himma distanced himself from PAM and became an adviser to the king.
- Chahid comes from Zagora province in southeastern Morocco, a region that has remained central to his professional, academic and political life.
- Sanchez said the online posts distorted the court ruling and spread the false idea that it would be impossible for Spanish authorities to force people back to Morocco.
- Addressing FM Bourita, Sa'ar said Morocco has a "very special place in this vision" and expressed hope that more Moroccans visit Israel and vice versa, as a way of continuing the friendship.
- According to a statement from the Ministry of the Royal Household, Protocol and Chancellery, the king received El Mansouri at the Royal Palace in Rabat on Sept. 29 and appointed her head of government in accordance with Article 47 of Morocco’s Constitution.
- RABAT: The king of Morocco on Tuesday named Marrakesh mayor Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri the country’s first woman prime minister, the royal cabinet announced, after her party won last week’s parliamentary elections.
- HOT: » Bulgaria's Summer Ritual: We Kill Each Other on the Roads, Then We Forget Spanish police on Friday began moving hundreds of migrants from the beaches of Ceuta to a new tented site in the port area of the Spanish enclave, where authorities have set up accommodation for people who have remained in the territory after a major influx from Morocco.
- She is expected to form a coalition in the coming days, as Morocco’s electoral law often makes it difficult for a single party to win an absolute majority.
- However, this agenda is facing an unfavourable international economic and financial environment, marked by rising energy prices and increasing costs of inputs for some of Morocco’s leading sectors, including phosphate production.
- The appointment also presents a clear political paradox.
- “We did not have to lament any loss of human life in our national territory. The tragic events occurred outside our country,” Marlaska told the Parliament, adding: “The insinuation that I have heard and read that our security forces would have permitted that these tragic events occur in our country is a grave irresponsibility”.