Gabriel Attal: Who is the new PM of France, what changes with his appointment

Who is Attal? Why does France suddenly have a new Prime Minister? What will this mean for a country where the centrist President Macron is increasingly looking off-colour and his far right rivals are catching up?

Why a new PM?

The appointment of a fresh face as the PM seems to be part of Marcon’s attempts to infuse new life into his government ahead of the European Union Parliament elections in June, where his ratings are trailing.

Macron was re-elected as French President in 2022 and the going has not been great for him since — his government lost parliamentary majority the same year, and 2023 saw massive backlash against his pension plans at the beginning of the year and against immigration law changes at the end. Getting policies through parliament has been a major challenge for his government, bedevilling Borne’s 20-month tenure. The ruling coalition has been divided, most recently during the passing of the migration Bill, which the Left-leaning of Macron’s allies criticised strongly.

In the midst of all this, Attal is a popular face appreciated in Opposition circles too. He also happens to be France’s first openly gay Prime Minister.

Who is Gabriel Attal?

Attal held the education portfolio in Borne’s government. Suave and well-spoken, he has been polled the most popular minister in the outgoing government, according to AP. In many ways, his rapid rise mirrors that of Macron himself, who won his first term amid much adulation for his youth and seemingly clear and articulate vision.

In fact, Attal left the Socialist Party, which he had joined at the age of 17, in 2016 to back Macron’s presidential bid.

According to a Politico profile, “he was elected to parliament in 2017 and joined the government a year later as secretary of state for the youth, becoming the youngest Cabinet member since the start of France’s Fifth Republic. He later served as government spokesperson, then budget minister, has been minister of education since July.”

As education minister, Attal was in the news for banning abayas (long, loose robes worn by Muslim girls), for pushing a proposal for mandatory uniforms in schools, and for efforts to stamp out bullying, something he says he has been a victim of.

The young PM comes from an elite background, born to parents who worked in film production. His father, Yves Attal, was also a lawyer. Attal attended a private school, the École alsacienne, and then the Sciences Po university in Paris.

His critics have pointed to his Parisian background and private school education to claim that he is out of touch with the reality of France’s provinces. May have also questioned what exactly his ideology is and what he stands for, apart from being young and charming.

What changes with Attal’s appointment?

Not much. In France’s political system, the President is the one with the greater powers. The Prime Minister is appointed by the President and is in charge of implementing domestic policy. He is also supposed to ensure coordination among the various ministries. On this front too, many believe Attal will have a tough time taking much senior cabinet colleagues along.

Others point out that his personal popularity and energy can help the Macron government shake off the last two years and forge a more constructive path ahead.

Is he the only gay Prime Minister?

No. Among serving gay Prime Ministers in the world are Ana Brnabić of Serbia and Leo Varadkar of Ireland. Xavier Bettel, now the Deputy PM of Luxembourg, served as PM for two terms, stepping down last year.