Emmanuel OchayiFrench President Emmanuel Macron shook up the political landscape on Tuesday, appointing the youthful Gabriel Attal, 34, as the new Prime Minister, signaling a shift in strategy as he gears up for his second term and eyes the upcoming European Parliament elections.
Speaking about Attal’s appointment, Macron emphasized his confidence in Attal’s abilities, stating, “I know I can count on your energy and your commitment to implement the project of revitalization and regeneration that I announced.”
Attal, a close confidant of Macron’s, rose to prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic as the government’s spokesman. His selection underscores Macron’s desire to steer away from past controversial reforms on pensions and immigration, aiming to bolster his centrist party’s standing in the approaching EU elections scheduled for June.
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The move comes amid polling data suggesting that Macron’s party is lagging behind Marine Le Pen’s far-right party by a margin of eight to ten percentage points.
At 34, Attal not only becomes the youngest Prime Minister in French history but also the first openly gay individual to hold the position.
Notably, the combined age of Attal and Macron is just under that of Joe Biden, currently vying for a second term in the upcoming U.S. presidential election.
Gabriel Attal, born on March 16, 1989, has a diverse background that includes a study of law and early involvement in political activism. He has held various roles, including being an advisor to the Minister of Health and a Member of the French National Assembly.
Facing online hate speech due to his identity, Attal has been subject to antisemitic and homophobic attacks despite his political achievements.
Macron, who had previously announced intentions to introduce new political initiatives in 2023, aims to regain political momentum after facing challenges in dealing with a more turbulent parliament following the loss of his absolute majority post-re-election in 2022.
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