PARIS (Diya TV) — French President Emmanuel Macron has appointed 34-year-old Gabriel Attal as the new prime minister, making him the youngest person ever to hold the position in France. This historic move is seen as Macron’s attempt to inject fresh momentum into his government ahead of the European Parliament elections.
Attal, previously the Education Minister, emerged as a favorite to replace the outgoing Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne. While this shift may not signal a significant political change, it reflects Macron’s intent to move past the controversial reforms of the previous year and improve his party’s standing in the upcoming EU ballot.
Opinion polls indicate a trailing position for Macron’s camp, lagging behind far-right leader Marine Le Pen’s party by approximately eight to ten percentage points. Attal, a close ally of Macron, gained popularity for his swift actions as the government spokesman during the COVID-19 pandemic and his adept communication skills.
If confirmed, Attal will become the youngest French prime minister and the first openly gay person to hold the position. Together with Macron, their combined age will be just below that of U.S. President Joe Biden. Pollster Jerome Fourquet praised Attal’s potential appointment, emphasizing his popularity and effectiveness as the education minister.
Macron’s announcement of Borne’s resignation on Monday triggered the search for a new prime minister. While opposition leaders expressed skepticism about any significant policy shifts, Attal’s rise represents Macron’s strategy to revitalize his government and face the challenges posed by an increasingly dynamic political landscape.
