Gabriel Attal Becomes France’s Youngest and First Gay Prime Minister

• Image Credit: Google

• Jan 10, 2024 | Guriya Khatun

Elisabeth Borne served less than two years in office and resigned ahead of a widely expected cabinet reshuffle.

Digital Desk: The 34-year-old Gabriel Attal became France's youngest and first openly gay head of state on Tuesday when President Emmanuel Macron appointed him to the position, following Elisabeth Borne's resignation.

Elisabeth Borne served less than two years in office and resigned ahead of a widely expected cabinet reshuffle.

According to an official presidential announcement, "Mr. Gabriel Attal was appointed prime minister by the president of the republic, and he was tasked with forming a government," AFP reported.

The leader of Macron's Renaissance party Sylvain Maillard congratulated Gabriel Attal on X (formerly Twitter) saying, "I am sure that you will be able to faithfully carry out our project and embody the values that are ours."

Gabriel Attal, the new prime minister of France, who is he?

Emmanuel Macron, the government spokesman during the Covid epidemic, has a close ally in Gabriel Attal. According to recent opinion surveys, he is among the most well-liked politicians in the nation. He has established a reputation as an astute minister who is personable both on radio programs and in parliament.

According to French MP Patrick Vignal, "Gabriel Attal is a bit like the Macron of 2017" because the French president was the youngest leader in modern French history when he took office. He will also be the first openly gay prime minister in the country's history.

The MP stated that Gabriel Attal "is clear, he has authority".

Why did Emmanuel Macron select Gabriel Attal for this position?

Since 2022, when he lost his absolute majority, Emmanuel Macron has found it difficult to navigate a more volatile parliament. The opposition leader stated that the French president will make most of the decisions himself, even though Emmanuel Macron and Gabriel Attal can revitalize the administration together.

"It won't matter who leads the Socialist Party—Elisabeth Borne, Gabriel Attal, or me—the policies will remain the same," declared Olivier Faure, the leader of the party.