President Emmanuel Macron announced his spokesman and loyal ally, Gabriel Attal, to succeed him as prime minister. Attal, 34, thus becomes the youngest head of government in the history of France, beating the record held by Laurent Fabius since 1984.
The reshuffle is part of Macron’s strategy to invigorate his second term, particularly in anticipation of the upcoming European Parliament elections later this year. Gabriel Attal, born in 1989, assumes the role of France’s prime minister at the age of 34, a distinction that places him among other young leaders in European countries in recent years.
Attal, who previously served as secretary of state to the prime minister for youth and engagement, is considered close to Macron, having worked with him since his 2017 presidential campaign. He is also the first openly gay prime minister of France, having come out in 2018 during an interview with Paris Match.
The reasons for Elisabeth’s surprise resignation remain unclear, but some political observers speculate that it is a strategy to prepare for the 2024 presidential election, where Macron is expected to face far-right candidate Marine Le Pen. By temporarily stepping down from power, Macron could distance himself from criticism of his handling of the Covid-19 health and economic crisis and present himself as a candidate of renewal.
A profile of Gabriel Attal reveals his rapid rise in the political arena, progressing from a work experience recruit in the health ministry to becoming France’s youngest prime minister. Attal, who hails from a privileged background, has demonstrated effective communication skills, earning him the moniker “the Word Sniper.”
Born to Yves Attal, a lawyer and film producer of Tunisian Jewish descent, and Marie de Couriss, with roots in Orthodox Christians from Odesa, Attal is the first openly gay leader of the French government.
International leaders have begun congratulating Gabriel Attal, with French President Emmanuel Macron expressing confidence in Attal’s energy and commitment.
As discussions unfold about Attal’s potential premiership, critics question the choice, emphasizing his age and relatively short tenure as education minister. However, Attal’s trajectory suggests a promising and dynamic leadership style.
The official announcement of France’s new prime minister is anticipated later in the day, with Gabriel Attal emerging as the leading candidate.
Attal will have the daunting task of leading the country in a difficult period, marked by strong political polarization, a rise in populism and terrorism, as well as a climate emergency. He will also have to contend with a fragile parliamentary majority and tense relations with some European partners, notably Germany and Hungary.
Attal said he intended to continue Macron’s reforms, including on pensions, unemployment insurance and the environment. He also promised to strengthen social dialogue and citizen participation, drawing on his experience of youth and engagement. Finally, he affirmed his desire to defend republican values and secularism, while respecting diversity and the rights of minorities.
The new prime minister is expected to announce the composition of his government in the coming days, after consulting the president of the Senate, Gérard Larcher, and the president of the National Assembly, Richard Ferrand. According to some sources, he could appoint several personalities from civil society or the associative world, in order to renew the French political landscape.
