Gabriel Attal has been appointed as France’s new prime minister by President Emmanuel Macron, marking a historic moment as he becomes the country’s youngest and first openly gay head of government at the age of 34.
Attal's appointment follows the resignation of Elisabeth Borne, 62, along with the entire government, after a tenure of less than two years. Macron's move is seen as a proactive step to reshape his administration before pivotal events such as the Olympics and European elections, where his centrist forces face a formidable challenge from the far-right led by Marine Le Pen.
"The president of the republic appointed Mr. Gabriel Attal prime minister, and tasked him with forming a government," stated a presidential release, AFP reported.
Attal, known for his popularity during his tenure at the education ministry, brings a distinct change of style to the prime minister's office compared to his predecessor, Elisabeth Borne.
While Borne's austere and no-nonsense demeanor earned her respect among colleagues, Attal's widespread popularity among the public indicates a potential shift in public perception of the government.
Who is Gabriel Attal?
Born on March 16, 1989, in Clamart, France, Attal's early foray into politics began during his university years. He quickly ascended the ranks, earning degrees in political science and public administration. His charisma caught the attention of Macron, who recognized in him a promising talent.
Attal's political journey commenced during the 2012 presidential campaign, where he interned at the French National Assembly with Marisol Touraine. Then, he served as an advisor to the Minister of Health for five years.
The 2014 municipal elections marked a pivotal moment for Attal, as he secured the fifth position on the Socialist Party list. Elected as one of the four Socialist Party councilors of Vanves, he assumed the leadership of the opposition after the resignation of the head of the socialist list.
In 2017, he was elected as the youngest member of the French National Assembly at the age of 28. He joined the Committee on Cultural and Education Affairs, serving as the whip of the La République En Marche! group.
In 2018, at 29, he became the youngest member of the government and was appointed as a junior minister in the education and youth ministry.
Attal became the government spokesperson under Prime Minister Jean Castex from 2020 to 2022, during the pandemic. Then came his appointment as the Minister of Public Action and Accounts in May 2022 under Borne.
His popularity is soaring and has often been referred as a “rising star” in the Renaissance (RE) party.
He has a master’s degree in public affairs, and studied law at Panthéon-Assas University.
His sexuality was outed on social media in 2018 by his former classmate. He lives in a civil union with his partner Stéphane Séjourné, a member of the European Parliament.
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