Gabriel Attal Becomes France's Youngest And First Openly Gay Prime Minister, Macron's Move Intended To Bring New Energy

Gabriel Attal has recently been appointed as France's youngest and first openly gay head of government, succeeding Elisabeth Borne, who resigned from the position after serving less than two years as reported by Hindustan Times.

The 34-year-old, a close ally of President Emmanuel Macron, previously served as the government spokesman during the Covid pandemic and is considered one of the country's most popular politicians in recent opinion polls.

Attal's appointment comes amidst a widely expected cabinet reshuffle, and he is known for his effectiveness as a minister and ease in communication, both on radio shows and in parliament.

Sylvain Maillard, leader of Macron's Renaissance party, congratulated Attal on social media, expressing confidence in his ability to carry out the party's project and embody its values.

Attal's youth and openness about his sexual orientation mark a historic moment in French politics, drawing comparisons to Macron's own ascent to the presidency in 2017 when he became the youngest leader in modern French history.

Macron's decision to appoint Attal is seen as a strategic move to bring new energy to the government, especially as the president has faced challenges in dealing with a more turbulent parliament since losing his absolute majority in 2022.

Despite the change in leadership, some opposition leaders, such as Socialist Party leader Olivier Faure, remain sceptical, arguing that regardless of who holds the position, the policies are unlikely to see significant shifts.