Mansouri announces four-party coalition to form Morocco’s next government

Morocco’s Head of government designate Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri announced Monday that PAM, Istiqlal, USFP and PPS will form the parliamentary majority supporting her incoming government, ending nearly two weeks of coalition negotiations following the Sept. 23 elections.

The four parties hold a combined 207 seats in the 395-member House of Representatives, nine above the 198 required for an absolute majority.

PAM won 97 seats, Istiqlal 65, USFP 26 and PPS 19, according to final election results released by the Interior Ministry.

The agreement leaves the National Rally of Independents, which finished second with 66 seats, outside the governing coalition.

In a statement issued Monday, Mansouri said the agreement followed two rounds of consultations intended to build what she described as a politically coherent majority rather than simply assemble the necessary parliamentary numbers.

The four parties will now propose candidates for ministerial posts while negotiations turn to the composition of the cabinet and preparation of the government program.

The statement said nominees should combine competence, political experience and integrity, with the coalition aiming to produce the government program “as soon as possible.”

The coalition brings together PAM with the three parties historically associated with the Koutla bloc, Istiqlal, USFP and PPS. PPS formally approved participation earlier Monday after citing convergence with Mansouri over the future government program and majority charter.

Mansouri was appointed head of government by King Mohammed VI on Sept. 29 after PAM finished first in the election, making her the first woman to hold the post.

Morocco’s 2027 Finance Bill must be submitted to the House by Oct. 20, putting added pressure on the remaining negotiations over ministers and policy priorities.

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