Veteran journalist Fatima Hassani becomes second Moroccan woman elected President of Region

Fatima Hassani, a veteran journalist and member of PAM political party, was elected president of Tangier-Tetouan-Alhoceima region, becoming the second Moroccan woman to take such a position.

Hassani will succeed to her colleague in the party Ilyas EL Omari after a majority vote by the region’s council.

The election was convened after the resignation of El Omari, former head of the party.

Hassani worked for the Moroccan news agency where she worked for the Arabic desk. She was also an influential union member.

Another woman, Mbarka Bouaida, is serving as President of the southern Guelmim Oued Noun region.

Morocco has launched a regionalization plan to devolve powers from the center to regions. The 2020 draft budget earmarks 9.6 billion dirhams to boosting regions finances.

Morocco has 12 regions, the largest in terms of contribution to overall national GDP are Casablanca-Settat, Rabat-Kenitra and Tangier-Tetouan-Al hoceima with 31.9%, 16.2% and 10.5% respectively.