Morocco’s not-so-new government faces new challenges

On October 16, King Mohammed VI appointed Fatima Zohra Al Mansouri as Morocco’s prime minister, the first woman to lead the country’s government. Al Mansouri belongs to the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), which won the most seats in September’s parliamentary elections and was founded by Ali Himma, a close associate of the king. PAM dominates a four-party coalition, suggesting political continuity rather than major change. Founded in 2008 to counter the rise of political Islam, the party remains viewed by other political groups as tied to the Makhzen despite efforts to gain broader acceptance.