France’s new prime minister Gabriel Attal, is the 34-year-old education minister, who is also the country’s first openly gay prime minister. It is believed that Emmanuel Macron is attempting to increase the popularity of his party in advance of the June European elections.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Gabriel Attal, a 34-year-old individual who gained widespread recognition as a government spokesperson, was officially appointed by the French president.
The education minister will succeed departing prime minister Elisabeth Borne as Mr. Macron, 46, seeks to infuse his second term with renewed vigor in advance of the June elections for the European Parliament.
Although the action may not inherently result in significant political transformation, it is perceived as an effort by Mr. Macron to progress beyond the pension and immigration reforms that were met with an unfavorable reception last year.
According to polls, his faction is eight to ten percentage points behind the party of far-right leader Marine Le Pen; enlisting the popular Mr. Attal could be an attempt to close the gap.
“I am certain I can rely on your vigor and dedication to execute the revitalization and regeneration initiative I declared,” Mr. Macron told the incoming prime minister on X.
Challenges Of Macron
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It follows a tumultuous start to Mr. Macron’s second tenure in office, which he extended until 2027 after being re-elected in 2022 despite losing his absolute majority in parliament.
Following the successful passage of an unpopular pensions measure that sought to increase the retirement age from 62 to 64 years, France was engulfed in a spate of mass demonstrations the previous year.
Two subsequent petitions of no confidence against his administration, which would have compelled resignations, failed.
Leaders of the opposition laid blame on Mr. Macron’s difficulties and dismissed the new appointment, stating that they do not anticipate significant changes.
“Emmanuel Macron hopes to cling to his popularity in opinion polls to alleviate the agony of an interminable end to his reign by appointing Gabriel Attal,” said Jordan Bardella, the leader of Ms. Le Pen’s National Rally.
“Instead, he risks taking the short-lived education minister with him in his fall.”
In the interim, Olivier Faure, leader of the Socialist Party, stated on France Inter radio, “I don’t care whether it’s Elizabeth Borne, Gabriel Attal, or someone else; the policies will remain the same.”
A Fresh Start In Life
Recent opinion surveys indicate that Mr. Gabriel Attal is widely regarded as one of the most popular politicians in the country. He has established himself as an astute minister who is comfortable in both parliamentary settings and media environments.
After being appointed education minister the previous year, his initial action was to ban the Muslim abaya from state institutions, a move that sparked controversy and increased his support among conservative voters.
Patrick Vignal, an MP for Mr. Macron’s Renaissance Party, remarked, “Gabriel Attal is a bit like the Macron of 2017.” He further characterized him as an individual who “expresses clarity” and “possesses authority.”
Mr. Macron, who was a popular candidate at the time, assumed office as the youngest leader in contemporary French history.
The combined age of Mr. Attal and Mr. Macron is marginally lower than that of Joe Biden, the incumbent US presidential candidate for a second term in the current election.
In the coming days, the two will collaborate to nominate a new government, although certain ministers are anticipated to remain in their positions.
“The Macron-Attal duo can breathe new life into the situation,” said Jean-Daniel Levy, a pollster for Harris Interactive.
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