Gabriel Becomes France’s Youngest And First Openly Gay Prime Minister
In a surprise move, French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Tuesday that he has appointed his Education Minister Gabriel Attal, 34, as his new prime minister, replacing Elisabeth Borne who resigned earlier in the day.
The decision, which comes ahead of the European parliament elections in June, is seen as an attempt by Macron to inject some fresh energy and appeal into his second mandate, which has been marred by unpopular reforms and a loss of parliamentary majority.
Attal, who is the youngest and the first openly gay prime minister in French history, is a loyal ally of Macron and a rising star in his centrist party. He gained popularity and recognition as the government spokesman during the COVID-19 crisis, handling the media and the public with skill and confidence.
Macron praised Attal’s “energy and commitment” in a tweet, and said he entrusted him with the task of implementing his “project of revitalisation and regeneration” for France, without giving further details.
The appointment of Attal, however, did not impress the opposition, who dismissed it as a cosmetic change that would not alter Macron’s policies or his grip on power.
Marine Le Pen, the far-right leader who is leading the polls for the EU elections, accused Macron of trying to “cling to his popularity” by choosing Attal, and predicted that he would “take the short-lived Education Minister with him in his fall”.
Olivier Faure, the Socialist Party leader, said he did not care who the prime minister was, as it would be “just the same policies” under Macron.
Patrick Vignal, a member of Macron’s Renaissance party, defended Attal, saying he was “a bit like the Macron of 2017”, when the president was elected as the youngest leader in modern French history and a symbol of hope and change. Vignal said Attal “is clear, he has authority”.
Attal and Macron have a combined age of 75, just below that of Joe Biden, who is seeking a second term as the U.S. president in this year’s election.
