In a move to revitalize his administration ahead of the European Parliament elections, French President Emmanuel Macron, on Tuesday, named 34-year-old Gabriel Attal as France’s new Prime Minister.
Attal, previously serving as the Education Minister, replaces outgoing Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne.
The appointment underscores Macron’s bid to move beyond last year’s contentious pension and immigration reforms. With an eye on the upcoming EU ballot in June, Macron aims to bolster his centrist party’s standing in the face of a current polling deficit to the far-right leader Marine Le Pen by approximately eight to 10 percentage points.
Attal, a close ally of Macron, gained prominence as the government’s spokesperson during the COVID-19 pandemic. His selection aligns with Macron’s aspirations to introduce new political initiatives, as announced toward the end of 2023.
In his statement to Attal, Macron expressed confidence, stating, “I know I can count on your energy and commitment to implement the project of revitalization and regeneration that I announced.”
At 34, Attal becomes France’s youngest Prime Minister and the first openly gay individual to hold the position. His partnership with Macron notably yields a combined age just below that of U.S. President Joe Biden, who seeks re-election this year.
Despite his swift rise in politics and widespread popularity in recent polls, Attal has faced online hate speech, including antisemitic and homophobic attacks, owing to his identity.
Gabriel Attal’s political journey has been characterized by diverse roles, including advising the Minister of Health, serving as a Member of the French National Assembly, and assuming key positions within Macron’s party, La République En Marche!
Born on March 16, 1989, Attal entered the government as Secrétaire d’État at the age of 29, setting a record as the youngest member of a government in the Fifth Republic. His subsequent ministerial roles included overseeing Public Action and Accounts, and later, National Education and Youth.
Attal’s ascent to the Prime Minister’s office at 34 marks a milestone in French politics, yet he continues to navigate challenges, including facing discrimination and online vitriol due to his personal identity.
