The victory of the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) in the 23 September 2026 legislative elections, with 97 seats out of 395, automatically places its leadership at the heart of the process to form the next government. Under Article 47 of the Constitution, the King appoints the head of government “from within the political party that comes first in the elections to the House of Representatives”, paving the way for a PAM nominee, although no name has yet been confirmed.
In this context, three names are emerging strongly in the public and media debate: Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri, Fouzi Lekjaa and Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, all members of the party’s collective leadership and key figures in the outgoing government. But which of them will be chosen to succeed Aziz Akhannouch at the head of the executive?
Fatima Zahra El Mansouri: “a great honour” if the King chooses her
Fatima Zahra El Mansouri, coordinator of PAM’s collective leadership and Minister of National Spatial Planning, Urban Planning, Housing and City Policy, as well as mayor of Marrakech, is one of the party’s most prominent figures. At a press conference held on 24 September in Rabat, she stated that being appointed head of government would be “a great honour” if His Majesty the King so decided, while stressing that the decision lies with the Sovereign within the constitutional framework.
Her profile combines territorial anchoring (Marrakech), governmental experience (spatial planning, urbanism, housing) and party responsibility (coordinating PAM), making her a credible candidate to rally a majority and carry a reform agenda. If appointed, she would become the first woman to lead a government in Morocco’s history.
Fouzi Lekjaa: the “budget maker” and the 2030 World Cup
Another name circulating insistently is Fouzi Lekjaa, Minister Delegate in charge of the Budget and president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF). He officially joined PAM in July 2026, entered its political bureau and played a central role in the party’s campaign, rallying several elected officials from the RNI and Istiqlal.
Recognised for his rigorous management of public finances and for his role in the 2030 World Cup file (with the final expected in Casablanca), Lekjaa embodies a technocratic and popular profile, able to speak both to markets, international institutions and part of public opinion through football. Although he was not a candidate in any constituency, his influence within PAM and the state apparatus makes him a serious contender for the premiership.
Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid: an open stance, ruling no one out
The third name regularly cited is Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication and member of PAM’s collective leadership. Standing on the party’s lists in Rabat-Océan, he ran a campaign focused on reform continuity, youth and culture, while remaining cautious on the question of the premiership.
Asked before the election about a possible candidacy to head the government, Bensaid ruled out neither Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri nor Fouzi Lekjaa, stressing that any member of PAM’s political bureau could legitimately aspire to the post. This open stance, combined with his anchoring in the party apparatus and ministerial experience, keeps his name in the race, even if media spotlight has focused more on El Mansouri and Lekjaa.
Open alliances, no “red lines”
On the alliance front, Fatima Zahra El Mansouri stated that PAM was setting “no red lines” and would base future coalitions solely on programmes, while keeping all options open, including with the Justice and Development Party (PJD), which won 54 seats. This flexibility aims to facilitate the formation of a majority of at least 198 MPs, with the most likely scenario remaining a PAM–RNI–Istiqlal coalition (228 seats), although other combinations are mathematically possible.
Who will prevail among El Mansouri, Lekjaa and Bensaid?
At this stage, nothing is decided between Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri, Fouzi Lekjaa and Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid. The choice will depend on royal consultations, internal balances within PAM, each candidate’s ability to rally a parliamentary majority and the political reading made by the Palace of a context marked by low turnout (38.08%) and strong demand for jobs, public services and structural reforms.
In any case, the next step will determine whether Morocco gets its first female head of government, a head of government from senior administration and sport, or an internal PAM compromise around another figure, with Bensaid potentially among the options.
