Emmanuel Macron names France’s youngest-ever PM, 34-year-old Gabriel Attal

French President Emmanuel Macron has appointed Gabriel Attal, a 34-year-old education minister and one of his staunchest supporters, as France’s new prime minister. Attal, who replaces Elisabeth Borne, becomes the country’s youngest and first openly gay prime minister. This move comes as Macron seeks a fresh start for the remainder of his term amidst increased political pressure from the far-right.

Gabriel Attal gained prominence as the government spokesman and education minister. His appointment follows the resignation of Elisabeth Borne, prompted by political turmoil over a controversial new immigration law, leading to allegations that Macron was capitulating to the far-right.

French President Emmanuel Macron has appointed Gabriel Attal, a 34-year-old education minister and one of his staunchest supporters, as France’s new prime minister. Attal, who replaces Elisabeth Borne, becomes the country’s youngest and first openly gay prime minister. This move comes as Macron seeks a fresh start for the remainder of his term amidst increased political pressure from the far-right.

Gabriel Attal gained prominence as the government spokesman and education minister. His appointment follows the resignation of Elisabeth Borne, prompted by political turmoil over a controversial new immigration law, leading to allegations that Macron was capitulating to the far-right.

Macron, a centrist whose term extends until 2027, is expected to name a new government in the coming days. Confirming Attal’s nomination on social media, Macron expressed confidence in Attal’s energy and commitment to implementing the regeneration project.

Attal, born on March 16, 1989, near Paris, studied at Sciences Po in the French capital and has served in various roles, including government spokesman and public accounts minister. Initially a member of the Socialist Party, Attal joined Macron’s Renaissance party in 2016. He served as government spokesman from 2020 to 2022, followed by a role as budget minister before being appointed education minister in July.

Attal has been known for his initiatives, such as banning long robes in classrooms, citing concerns about testing secularism, and launching a plan to experiment with uniforms in public schools to shift focus away from clothes and reduce school bullying.

As prime ministers play a crucial role in France’s constitutional framework, being the second-highest figure after the president, they are directly accountable to Parliament and oversee the day-to-day operations of the French government. Macron’s second term, ending in 2027, aligns with his constitutional limit of two consecutive terms, and observers suggest he aims to prepare his government for the upcoming European Union elections in June.

Macron, a centrist whose term extends until 2027, is expected to name a new government in the coming days. Confirming Attal’s nomination on social media, Macron expressed confidence in Attal’s energy and commitment to implementing the regeneration project.

Attal, born on March 16, 1989, near Paris, studied at Sciences Po in the French capital and has served in various roles, including government spokesman and public accounts minister. Initially a member of the Socialist Party, Attal joined Macron’s Renaissance party in 2016. He served as government spokesman from 2020 to 2022, followed by a role as budget minister before being appointed education minister in July.

Attal has been known for his initiatives, such as banning long robes in classrooms, citing concerns about testing secularism, and launching a plan to experiment with uniforms in public schools to shift focus away from clothes and reduce school bullying.

As prime ministers play a crucial role in France’s constitutional framework, being the second-highest figure after the president, they are directly accountable to Parliament and oversee the day-to-day operations of the French government. Macron’s second term, ending in 2027, aligns with his constitutional limit of two consecutive terms, and observers suggest he aims to prepare his government for the upcoming European Union elections in June.