Paris: On Tuesday, January 9, 2024, Gabriel Attal, the former Minister of Education, was appointed as the youngest Prime Minister in the history of the French Republic at the age of 34. He also became the first openly homosexual head of government, following a ministerial reshuffle intended to rejuvenate Emmanuel Macron’s presidency.
According to Burkina Information Agency, The Elysée made this appointment official after long hours of anticipation, initially expected on Monday evening. This delay sparked speculations of internal resistance from senior government members like Gérald Darmanin (Interior) and Bruno Le Maire (Economy), although these claims were denied by the concerned individuals.
President Macron, three years away from the end of his second term, faces challenges including the rise of the extreme right and the absence of an absolute majority in the National Assembly. His re-election in 2022 was followed by growing public discontent, evident in reactions to pension reform and a controversial immigration law.
Gabriel Attal, a long-time supporter of Macron, emerged as a surprise successor to Elisabeth Borne, who resigned on Monday afternoon. Attal’s rapid ascent in government since 2017 and his high popularity among the French public, as indicated in a recent study, contributed to his appointment.
Despite being a favorite for the role, Attal overcame other potential candidates like Julien Denormandie, a 43-year-old technocrat, and Sébastien Lecornu, the 37-year-old Minister of the Armies.
In France, the Prime Minister is responsible for executing the President’s program and managing daily government affairs, often bearing the brunt of any political turbulence. Elisabeth Borne, 62, left her position after 20 months, marked by her resilience in passing challenging laws and surviving multiple motions of censure in the Assembly.
Attal’s appointment is crucial for maintaining the fragile balance within the presidential camp, recently affected by internal divisions over immigration law. Sylvain Maillard, leader of the ruling Renaissance party’s deputies, assured full cooperation with the new Prime Minister, but concerns about a potential rightward shift persist.
With Macron ineligible for re-election in 2027, a key objective is to prevent far-right leader Marine Le Pen from ascending to the presidency.
Constitutionalist Benjamin Morel sees Attal’s selection as part of a strategic move ahead of the European elections in June, where the far right is expected to perform strongly. Political scientist Bruno Cautres views Attal as a symbol of youth and ambition, reminiscent of Macron’s early political persona, but acknowledges that his appointment won’t resolve issues of parliamentary majority or overarching mandate challenges.
Attal, known for his media proficiency, previously served as the government spokesperson and played a significant role in defending the contentious pension reform. As Minister of National Education since July 2023, his stance on issues like school uniforms and the ban of the abaya has garnered support, especially among the elderly Macronist electorate.
With his appointment, Attal becomes the fourth Prime Minister under Macron since 2017, a presidency often criticized for centralizing power and micromanagement. Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of the radical left, commented on Attal’s previous role as government spokesperson, critiquing the perceived concentration of power in Macron’s presidency.