French President Emmanuel Macron has named 34-year-old Gabriel Attal as the next prime minister of France. This appointment marks a significant milestone as Attal becomes the country’s youngest prime minister since the establishment of the French Fifth Republic in 1958, as reported by CNN.
Gabriel Attal’s selection also carries another groundbreaking aspect as he is set to become the first openly gay man to assume the role of the country’s second-most powerful politician. Attal has been serving as France’s Minister of Education and National Youth since July 2023, where he implemented a controversial ban on the wearing of the Abaya in French public schools and actively worked towards addressing bullying issues within educational institutions.
President Macron, announcing the appointment on X, expressed confidence in Attal’s abilities, stating, “I know I can count on your energy and your commitment.” Before his role in the Education Ministry, Attal served as the government spokesman and subsequently as the minister of public works and public accounts.
Attal steps into the shoes of Elisabeth Borne, who resigned from her position on Monday after a challenging 20-month tenure. Borne’s term was marked by contentious decisions, including an unpopular choice to raise the retirement age and urban unrest during the summer following the police shooting of a teenage boy of Algerian descent. The departure of Borne was anticipated, aligning with expectations of an imminent cabinet reshuffle.
As Gabriel Attal takes on this historic role, his youth and diverse background signal a new era in French politics, potentially bringing fresh perspectives to address the challenges facing the nation.