French President Emmanuel Macron appointed 34-year-old Education Minister Gabriel Attal as the new prime minister on Tuesday, aiming to inject fresh energy into his second term ahead of European Parliament elections. While the appointment may not signify significant political shifts, it reflects Macron’s effort to move past last year’s unpopular reforms and enhance his centrist party’s chances in the upcoming EU ballot.
Attal, France’s youngest prime minister and the first openly gay individual in the role, replaces Elisabeth Borne. Opinion polls show Macron’s camp trailing far-right leader Marine Le Pen by around eight to 10 percentage points.
Cher @GabrielAttal, je sais pouvoir compter sur votre énergie et votre engagement pour mettre en œuvre le projet de réarmement et de régénération que j’ai annoncé. Dans la fidélité à l’esprit de 2017 : dépassement et audace. Au service de la Nation et des Français.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) January 9, 2024
Attal, a close ally of Macron, gained prominence as government spokesman during the Covid-19 pandemic. Known for his effectiveness on radio shows and in parliament, Attal is considered one of the country’s most popular politicians.
Macron expressed confidence in Attal’s ability to implement revitalization initiatives, emphasizing the importance of his energy and commitment. The president and Attal have a combined age just below that of Joe Biden.
Facing challenges in a more turbulent parliament, Macron’s appointment of Attal is seen as an attempt to maintain popularity amid the ongoing struggles of his presidency. Opposition leaders, including Le Pen’s Jordan Bardella, questioned the move’s potential impact, while some within Macron’s party view Attal as reminiscent of the president’s early popular image.
