French President Emmanuel Macron has appointed Gabriel Attal as the new prime minister of the country, making him both the youngest and the first openly gay official to hold this position. Attal, a 34-year-old education minister, was named to the post on Tuesday and is recognized as one of France's most popular politicians, according to recent opinion polls.
Attal's appointment comes as a part of a cabinet reshuffle following the resignation of outgoing Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne on Monday. Macron aims to inject new momentum into the final three years of his presidency after facing challenges, including pushing through unpopular pension and immigration reforms in 2023. Attal's inclusion is seen as a strategic move to boost popularity ahead of the upcoming European Parliament elections in June.
Considered a "rising star" in French politics, Attal is known for his communication skills and political ambition. Macron is hoping that Attal will help revitalize his government, especially given the president's lack of a parliamentary majority, posing a challenge for any prime minister to unite various factions for legislative success.
Attal, who joined the Socialist Party at 17, rose to prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic as the government spokesperson. Despite his left-leaning past, he gained popularity among conservatives for his decision to ban the Muslim abaya dress in state schools when serving as education minister in 2023.
While some opposition leaders downplay Attal's appointment, viewing it as maintaining the status quo, Macron's move is seen as an attempt to sustain his popularity as he faces a more challenging political landscape. Attal is set to engage in a political battle with far-right leader Marine Le Pen in the upcoming European elections.
