Gabriel Attal has been appointed by President Macron as France’s Prime Minister at the age of 34, making him the youngest person to assume such a role in modern French history. President Emmanuel Macron publicly announced the appointment on Tuesday, January 9, 2024.
In a tweet, President Macron expressed confidence in Attal’s abilities, stating, “Dear @GabrielAttal, I know I can count on your energy and your commitment to implementing the project of revitalization and regeneration that I announced.”
The former Minister of National Education’s appointment came just 24 hours after Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne submitted her resignation letter to President Macron on January 8, 2024. Borne’s resignation was linked to recent political upheaval surrounding immigration, providing President Macron with an opportunity to instill new momentum as he looks forward to forming a fresh government in the coming days.
“I’m well aware of the context in which I take on this job,” reassured Attal, acknowledging the challenges ahead and promising to exert his best efforts to shape France’s destiny and unleash its potential.
Having entered politics at the age of 17, Attal became a prominent figure in France, notably serving as the government spokesperson during the pandemic and later taking on roles as Finance Minister and Education Minister.
New PM’s Marital Status Sparks Discussion
Gabriel Attal’s appointment as the new Prime Minister of France has prompted discussions about his relationship status, revealing that he is in a union with another man, Stéphane Séjourné. They have been in a same-sex relationship since 2017. This makes Attal the first openly gay person to hold the position of Prime Minister in France and the ninth openly LGBT person in the world, also making him the youngest head of state or government at present.
France officially legalized same-sex marriage on May 18, 2013, making it the thirteenth country worldwide to permit same-sex couples to marry at that time. Attal’s appointment highlights the country’s progressive stance on LGBTQ+ representation at the highest levels of government.
