Gabriel Attal becomes France’s youngest prime minister | World News

Emmanuel Macron has appointed France’s youngest and first openly gay prime minister.

Gabriel Attal, 34, was chosen today to head up the government during a time of tension for the Renaissance party.

Attal replaces Élisabeth Borne, who resigned after 20 months in office and throughout this time struggled with a lack of majority in parliament.

Attal, who has worked closely with Macron as education minister, now has the task of leading France into the European Parliament elections in June.

He is in a civil partnership with MEP Stéphane Sejourné, 38, but it is unknown whether he will move into the official residence of the Prime Minister of France, known as Hôtel Matignon with Attal.

During his time as education minister Attal was the youngest person to hold office in the 5th Republic, and he received praise for his work reforming schools and colleges.

He ended September’s row over Muslim abaya robes by simply banning them in schools.

He also led a campaign against bullying at the elite École alsacienne in Paris and promised to shake up education by introducing a school uniform policy.

The Renaissance party does not have a majority in the National Assembly – France’s equivalent of the House of Commons in the UK.

This means deals have to be struck with parties including the National Rally, headed up by Marine Le Pen.

She is the current favourite to take over from Macron in 2027 when he is forced to step down after two terms.

Attal has been brought in by Macron to reinvigorate the government at a time of right-wing pressure against them.

After all polls show he is by far the most admired member of the Macron government which will be a threat to Le Pen.

Because of this there is now expected to be a widespread ministerial reshuffle.

But Attal and any reshuffle will face the exact same problems as predecessorÉlisabeth Borne.

In France the president Macron sets policies and the prime minister is responsible for day-to-day government management.

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