Morocco Appoints First Female Prime Minister Amid Economic Challenges
Translated & summarized from Calcalist by baba
Morocco has appointed Fatima Al-Mansouri as its first female prime minister, tasked with addressing economic challenges and preparing for the 2030 World Cup. Despite strong economic growth and key industries like automotive and aviation, the country faces high youth unemployment. Al-Mansouri has promised job creation and reforms, but faces structural economic issues. Meanwhile, official relations between Morocco and Israel have strengthened, despite public opposition to normalization.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Fatima Al-Mansouri becomes Morocco's first female prime minister, leading a new coalition government.
- Morocco faces significant challenges including high youth unemployment and preparing for the 2030 World Cup.
- The country has a strong economy with 4% growth, driven by automotive and aviation industries.
- Despite official warming, public opposition to normalization with Israel remains in Morocco.
- Economic and security interests, along with ties to the US, are influencing Morocco's foreign policy.
Morocco has made history by appointing Fatima Al-Mansouri as its first female prime minister. Al-Mansouri, a lawyer and former mayor of Marrakech, leads a center-left party and has formed a coalition with three other parties, excluding the Islamist party. She faces significant challenges, including preparing the country for the 2030 World Cup, which Morocco will co-host with Spain and Portugal, requiring extensive infrastructure projects like roads, airports, stadiums, and hotels.
Al-Mansouri has pledged reforms to ease the cost of living and create jobs for the youth. While Morocco boasts a strong economy with 4% annual growth, making it an automotive and aviation industry powerhouse, it struggles with high unemployment, particularly among young and educated individuals, with rates exceeding 10% overall and reaching 25% for the youth. Al-Mansouri has promised one million new jobs, but economist Doron Paskin notes that infrastructure projects offer only temporary employment and do not address the structural economic issues, such as the dominance of large state-owned companies over smaller businesses.
Paskin highlighted the desperation of Moroccan youth, referencing the incident in July where thousands attempted to cross into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. He stated that such actions would not occur if the youth felt better about their situation in Morocco, indicating that positive macroeconomic data is not reaching the middle class and young people. The commentator also warned of potential contagion from protests in France and the economic impact of a European recession on Morocco, given its reliance on European investment.
Regarding relations with Israel, Paskin explained that foreign policy remains under the authority of the King, with no change in stance. He noted a paradoxical strengthening of ties since October 7th, evidenced by Israel's participation in a defense exhibition in Morocco, arms deals, and the upgrading of diplomatic missions to embassies. Despite official warming, public opposition to normalization with Israel persists, though economic and security interests, along with ties to the US, are seen as prevailing factors.