Women elected Mayors in Morocco’s leading cities

Three women have been elected Mayors in Morocco’s leading cities, following a nationwide parliamentary, regional and municipal polls on September 8.

On Friday September 24, Rabat – Asmaa Rhlalou, a member of the National Rally of Independents (RNI) became the first woman mayor of Morocco’s capital Rabat. The new mayor of Rabat defeated two other candidates. Hassan Lachgar from the Socialist Union of Popular Forces (USFP), and Badia Bennani from the Justice and Development Party (PJD).

Speaking after her election, Rhlalou said; 

“It’s a historical day for the city of lights.”

On Monday September 20, Nabila Rmili who is also another RNI member, was elected as mayor of Casablanca, Morocco’s commercial capital and biggest city with 3.5 million residents.

Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) candidate, Fatima Zahra Mansouri also returned as the mayor of tourist hotspot Marrakech, a position she occupied from 2009 to 2015. 

The outcome of the election means three of the kingdom’s main cities are led by women following elections earlier this month. RNI won the majority of the votes in the 2021 elections (102), followed by the Authenticity and Modernity party (PAM), and Al Istiqlal.