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“The youngest president in (France’s) history is appointing the youngest prime minister in (France’s) history. I want to see it as a symbol of audacity,” said Attal, who is also the country’s first openly gay prime minister.
More dynamic, or more of the same?
Attal replaces Elisabeth Borne, 62, only the second woman to hold the prime minister role in France. A dutiful and hard-working technocrat, her year and a half in office was marked by months of protests over the pension overhaul and riots over the police shooting of a teenager of north African descent.
Macron and Attal may take several days to name a new government. An Elysee aide said the usual Wednesday cabinet meeting was unlikely this week.
In recent weeks Macron, who has struggled to deal with a more turbulent parliament since being reelected in 2022, had signalled that it was time for change.
Some voters seemed to welcome that.
“I think it’s very good to have a young person … because it’s a different concept, it’s more dynamic,” said 81-year-old retiree Remi Blondel.
Emmanuel Macon’s party is trailing badly behind Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally in the EU ballot.Credit: Bloomberg
However, others were sceptical, with opponents – and some voters – saying not much would change, as Macron takes on the bulk of decision-making himself.
“What can the French hope for from this fourth prime minister and this fifth government in seven years? Nothing,” said Le Pen.
Attal is “young” and “fits nicely into the frame. But beyond that what does the reshuffle change for us? Personally, not much,” Parisian Sophie Varillon said.
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MP Patrick Vignal, who belongs to Macron’s Renaissance party, praised Attal, who he said was “a bit like the Macron of 2017″, referring to the point at which the President first took office as the youngest leader in modern French history, at the time a popular figure among voters.
Attal “is clear, he has authority”, Vignal said.
The reshuffle is likely to intensify the race in Macron’s camp to succeed him in the next presidential election in 2027, with former prime minister Edouard Philippe, Interior Minister Gerard Darmanin and Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire all seen as potential candidates – alongside Attal.