Image source, AFP
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Gabriel Attal (left) and President Macron (right)
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Gabriel Attal is the youngest new prime minister in modern French history, at just 34 years old.
President Emmanuel Macron chose Attal to succeed Prime Minister Elisabeth Bourne, who resigned after 20 months in office, in hopes of giving the next generation a boost. came to add life to his presidential term.
The previous record was held by former Prime Minister Laurent Fabius, who was 37 years old when he was appointed by President François Mitreand in 1984.
Gabriel Attal originally held the position of Minister of Education. Today he has to lead the French government. With the first important mission being the European Parliament elections in June.
BBC Thai takes you to get to know him. The youngest Prime Minister in modern French history. How is he interesting?
Rising politician
Image source, Reuters
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Prime Minister Attal’s first priority is to lead France to the European Parliament elections in the middle of this year.
Attal’s political career has grown rapidly. Even though going back 10 years ago, he was an advisor to the Ministry of Public Health. and members of the Socialist Party
And this time becoming Prime Minister made Attal considered to be a person who revealed himself to be gay. The first in the government palace, or “Hôtel de Matignon” by Attal’s partner, was Stephane Segerne, a member of the European Parliament. This is considered another successful new generation close to Macron.
President Macron welcomed the new young prime minister through an online social media post. “I know I can rely on my people’s energy and dedication to carry out the economic recovery program I’ve announced.”
“France will never regress. But we will blend in with the change. With the melody of courage,” these were the words Attal announced. After receiving the position
Image source, Reuters
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Elizabeth Bourne (left) served as Prime Minister for 20 months before resigning.
But Macron’s second presidential term is fraught with challenges. including from right-wing nationalist ideas This raises the question of how much “good looks” can help overcome obstacles.
The same goes for President Macron. Considered a role model and trainer, Gabriel Attal is handsome, young, charming, and popular. and reliable
Attal was inspired by Macron’s idea of breaking the left-right political divide. (Liberalism-Conservatism) and rewrite the French political model. This is something that many new generations desire.
When Macron won the first election in 2017, Attal became a member of parliament. Ready to display debate work until it can be called a “star of parliament” until Macron is interested.
Dream Team “Macron-Attal”
Image source, AFP
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Jordan Bardella (left), new leader of the far-right party.
At 29 years old, Attal became the youngest minister of the French Fifth Republic (France, which transitioned from a parliamentary to a semi-presidential system in 1958) with the title of Minister of Education. In 2020, he became government spokesperson. So much so that voters began to recognize him.
After Macron won a second term, he briefly became minister of the budget office. before returning as Minister of Education again in July.
It was in the position of education minister that Attal proved to Macron that He has considerable potential, for example, handling the dispute over Muslim women’s robes. with a ban on wearing them in school
Attal also campaigns against bullying in educational institutions. which he admitted I was a victim myself during my childhood. It also challenges educational institutions by proposing an experiment on school uniforms.
Even though they are moving forward with policies that face a lot of criticism. But Attal is still considered very popular. The results of the popularity survey indicated that He is the most admired member of Macron’s government. By comparison, opposition leader Marine Le Pen is paired with new far-right leader Jordan Bardella.
This kind of matching It may be a key reason that Macron chose Attal. Because of pulling Attal out of the Cabinet Then came to hold the position of Prime Minister It’s like a Macron-Attal pairing. From another perspective, it’s a response to Le Pen-Bardella’s team. Of course, in the end, we have to see. Will it work or not?
Image source, Reuters
However, the long process of selecting a new prime minister reflects that President Macron is well aware of the weaknesses in his position. And he wasn’t sure how to deal with it. Because at least one political commentator points out that what the public wants is not the replacement of the heads of high-ranking people. But it wants to be on Macron’s presidential agenda. with a clear goal
Therefore, if the condition is still like this Attal will face the same problem that Elizabeth Bourne has long faced: the popularity of far-right opposition. which is most likely to win the European Parliament elections in June, while the government does not have a majority in the national legislature. It’s made it difficult to pass laws, and most importantly, the president himself still can’t answer what exactly he wants to do in his second term.
In addition to these issues The new prime minister also has to face building credibility and earning the respect of other hard-line MPs.
The question is, what will the plan be from now on? Because it looks like Macron will definitely lose in the European Parliament elections this June.
It is normal to lose in such a way. It will lead to the change of the Prime Minister. But Macron has already played this card, so if he loses in the election, Gabriel Attal risks remaining in office until the end of his term as a disgraced loser.
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2024-01-10 07:30:53
