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France’s President Emmanuel Macron has appointed Gabriel Attal as the country’s youngest and first openly gay Prime Minister.
NEW DELHI: France’s President Emmanuel Macron has appointed Gabriel Attal as the country’s youngest and first openly gay Prime Minister. The 34-year-old, previously serving as the education minister, replaced Elisabeth Borne, who resigned from the post after less than two years in office.
Attal, a close ally of Macron, gained prominence as the government’s spokesman during the Covid-19 pandemic, showcasing his communication skills on radio shows and in Parliament. Hailing from a privileged background, Attal’s rapid political ascent has seen him become the youngest prime minister in France’s history.
The appointment is seen as a strategic move by Macron to inject new energy into the government amid challenges in dealing with a turbulent Parliament, news agency AFP reported.
Attal’s father, Yves Attal, was a lawyer and film producer of Tunisian Jewish descent, and his mother, Marie de Couriss, had roots in Orthodox Christians from Odessa. Raised in Paris, Attal earned a Master’s degree in Public Affairs from Sciences Po University.
His political journey began with joining the Socialist Party in 2006, later supporting Ségolène Royal in the 2007 election. Attal’s career took off with a work experience stint in the health ministry, eventually leading to various high-profile roles in Macron’s centrist political party En Marche.
Attal’s trajectory includes serving as the youngest member of the government under the Fifth Republic, heading LREM, and holding positions like government spokesperson and public accounts minister. Elected to the Assemblée Nationale in 2023, Attal’s shift from centre-left to centre-right politics has been evident.
In a civil partnership with Stéphane Séjourné, an MEP and secretary general of the governing party, Attal’s personal life adds another dimension to his political identity. Macron’s decision to appoint Attal reflects a bold move to reinvigorate a government facing challenges and reconnect with a younger generation of voters.
As the first openly gay Prime Minister, Attal’s appointment not only marks a milestone for France but also signals a commitment to diversity and inclusion in the country’s leadership.
