Morocco: 13 former ministers retained in new government

King Mohammed VI appointed Morocco’s new government on Friday, led for the first time by a woman, Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri. Her Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), which came first in September’s election, will govern with Istiqlal and two smaller left-wing parties; together, the coalition holds 210 of Parliament’s 395 seats. Thirteen of the 31 outgoing ministers have retained their posts, including Nasser Bourita as foreign minister and Abdelouafi Laftit as interior minister, while former budget minister and football federation president Fouzi Lekjaa becomes economy minister. The new cabinet has seven women, the same number as its predecessor, following an election held amid concerns over the cost of living and employment.