France has its youngest and first openly gay prime minister

President Macron (right) and Mr. Gabriel Attal

AFP news agency reported on January 9 that French President Emmanuel Macron appointed Minister of National Education and Youth Gabriel Attal as prime minister to create new momentum for his presidency.

Born on March 16, 1989, Mr. Attal is not yet 35 years old and has become the youngest prime minister in French history, as well as the country's first openly gay prime minister.

After days of speculation, on January 8, Mr. Macron accepted the resignation of former Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne, who resigned along with members of the government after less than 2 years in office.

The reshuffle comes ahead of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris and European parliamentary elections this summer, where Mr. Macron’s centrist base risks losing to the far-right led by Marine Le Pen, a former French presidential candidate.

A wider cabinet reshuffle is expected this week as Mr Macron looks to strengthen his team for the final three years of his term.

Mr. Gabriel Attal

"The president appointed Mr. Gabriel Attal as prime minister and tasked him with forming a government," according to a statement from President Macron's Office.

Confirming on social network X, President Macron said he wanted the new prime minister to regain the spirit of bold change from when Mr. Macron first took office with a wave of hopes for radical reform in 2017.

Under the French system, the president sets general policies and the prime minister is responsible for the day-to-day running of the government.

Mr. Attal, a rising star in Mr. Macron’s Renaissance Party, has been minister of national education and youth since July 2023. During his tenure, he has worked to raise awareness about bullying in schools.

Before heading the education ministry, Mr. Attal served as government spokesman and then minister in charge of public works and public accounts.

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