Gabriel Attal has been appointed as France’s youngest-ever Prime Minister, a strategic move by President Emmanuel Macron to invigorate his presidency.
Attal, at 34, surpasses the record held by Socialist Laurent Fabius, becoming the youngest premier in modern French history.
Attal steps into this role following Élisabeth Borne’s resignation after a 20-month tenure marked by parliamentary challenges due to a lack of majority support.
His ascent from a relatively obscure adviser in the health ministry a decade ago to the youngest minister in the Fifth Republic is noteworthy.
He’s also notably the first openly gay occupant of Hôtel Matignon and holds a civil partnership with Stéphane Sejourné, an MEP and part of Macron’s circle.
Attal’s rise has been attributed to his alignment with Macron’s vision of reshaping traditional political boundaries.
Recognized for his parliamentary skills and dynamism, Attal’s popularity among the public has soared, ranking as the most admired member of Macron’s government in opinion polls.
His past actions, such as decisively banning Muslim abaya robes in schools and addressing bullying, have garnered attention.
However, Attal faces substantial challenges akin to those encountered by his predecessor.
These include a resurgent hard-right opposition, a fragmented National Assembly posing obstacles to legislation, and the overarching struggle of defining Macron’s second-term objectives.
Critics question if Attal’s charm and eloquence, reminiscent of Macron’s style, translate into substantial policies and a distinct political agenda.
Despite his recognition as a talented figure in the National Assembly, doubts linger about his independent stance and potential to bring new purpose to Macron’s presidency.
There’s uncertainty regarding Attal’s future trajectory, particularly if Macron’s party suffers a significant setback in the upcoming European elections.
While he’s lauded for his abilities, the concern looms that he might be seen as a mere replica of Macron, lacking his own substantive vision.
Source-BBC
