France's Youngest and First Openly Gay Prime Minister Appointed
In a surprising move to inject new energy into his presidency, Emmanuel Macron has appointed Gabriel Attal, 34, as France's next prime minister, making him the youngest in modern French history.
Attal, currently the education minister, replaces Élisabeth Borne, who resigned after facing challenges with a lack of parliamentary majority during her 20-month tenure.
Known for his rise from an obscure health ministry adviser to a popular member of Macron's government, Attal now faces the critical task of leading France into the upcoming European Parliament elections in June.
As the first openly gay occupant of Hôtel Matignon, Attal caught the public's attention with his rapid ascent and charismatic demeanour. A member of Macron's party since the president's election in 2017, Attal's popularity soared as he showcased his debating prowess in parliament and implemented bold measures, including the controversial ban on Muslim abaya dress in state schools.
Despite his swift rise, questions linger about his ability to navigate the challenges posed by the surging nationalist right, a parliament without a built-in majority, and Macron's undefined second-term goals.
Emmanuel Macron's decision to bring in Attal is seen as an attempt to revitalise his presidency ahead of the European elections. Recent polls indicate a gap between Macron's camp and the far-right leader Marine Le Pen, prompting the president to leverage Attal's popularity to potentially narrow the divide. The Macron-Attal duo is expected to announce a new government in the coming days, aiming to bring a new lease of life to Macron's second term, which has faced criticism and uncertainty.
Despite the positive reception of Attal in the National Assembly and among voters, the effectiveness of this move in addressing the deeper challenges of Macron's presidency remains to be seen.
