PARIS: Newly appointed French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal is in the process of selecting his cabinet team after his unexpected appointment by President Emmanuel Macron, making him the youngest head of government in French history at the age of 34.
Attal replaces Elisabeth Borne, and is set to collaborate with Macron in forming a robust cabinet to confront challenges, including the rise of the far-right under Marine Le Pen in the upcoming June European elections.
Macron’s decision to appoint Attal faced some internal resistance, reportedly encountering objections from certain cabinet ministers and influential figures outside the cabinet, including former Prime Minister Edouard Philippe and presidential chief of staff Alexis Kohler.
Amidst the tension and uncertainty, Attal officially assumed his new role during a ceremony at the prime minister’s residence in Paris on Tuesday. He emphasized his appointment as a symbol of “audacity” and a commitment to transforming France.
Challenges for Gabriel Attal as PM
The formation of the new cabinet is expected to address uncertainties about the retention of key ministers, including Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin, Finance and Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire, and the post of foreign minister currently held by Catherine Colonna.
Attal’s task is to rejuvenate Macron’s centrist presidency for the remaining three years and prevent any perception of him becoming a “lame duck” leader after his party lost its overall majority in the 2022 legislative elections.
As Macron cannot run again in 2027, the reshuffle is seen as crucial to fortify his administration against challenges, particularly from Marine Le Pen, who is considered to have a formidable chance of winning the presidency in the future. Ahead of the European elections, Attal will engage with another rising political figure, Jordan Bardella, the 28-year-old leader of Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally (RN).
