French President Emmanuel Macron has appointed Gabriel Attal as the new prime minister of the country, making him the youngest and first openly gay individual to hold the position. The 34-year-old, previously serving as the education minister, assumes the role after the resignation of Elisabeth Borne in a cabinet reshuffle aimed at injecting fresh energy into the final three years of Macron’s presidency. Attal, a popular figure in French politics, is tasked with implementing domestic policies, particularly economic measures, and coordinating the government’s ministerial team. This move is seen as an effort by Macron to bolster his popularity ahead of the upcoming European Parliament elections in June.
Gabriel Attal gained prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic when he served as the government spokesperson, showcasing his public presence. Despite his youth, Attal has a significant history in French politics, aligning with the Socialist Party at the age of 17. His appointment as education minister in 2023 followed previous roles as a junior minister in the Ministry of Economics and Finance. Notably, Attal, despite his left-leaning background, gained favor among conservatives for banning the Muslim abaya dress in state schools.
However, opposition leaders view Attal’s appointment with skepticism, considering it a continuation of existing policies. Socialist Party leader Olivier Faure emphasized that the choice of prime minister wouldn’t alter the governing approach. Meanwhile, Jordan Bardella, leader of Marine Le Pen’s National Rally party, suggested that Macron’s decision might be an attempt to salvage his popularity, risking the brief tenure of Attal. Attal is set to face Bardella in the lead-up to the European elections.
