Macron Appoints France's Youngest-Ever, First Gay Prime Minister

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The Facts

  • French Pres. Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday appointed Education Minister Gabriel Attal, 34, to be the nation's youngest-ever and first openly gay prime minister, following the resignation of Élisabeth Borne, who said Macron requested she step down, on Monday.

  • Attal, the son of a Jewish lawyer and filmmaker father and Orthodox Christian mother, was among a select group of young, well-to-do men who were picked to join Macron's youthful campaign. He attended the prestigious École Alsacienne private school, where he said he was bullied, after which he obtained his master's in public affairs from Sciences Po University.

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The Spin

Narrative A

France didn't necessarily need a new prime minister — as the economy has fared well against inflation, and foreign investment remains strong. But it did need a fresh face. Attal's appointment isn’t just historic, it also brings youthful energy and quick wit at a time when France needs to be pulled together.

New York Times

Narrative B

Commentators on both sides of the French political aisle have agreed that Attal will be no different policy-wise than his predecessor. Representing the same agenda as Macron, he's merely the next puppet to do his bidding, as the French president looks to take advantage of Attal's popularity and put on a "centrist" stance that appeases both sides.

Europeanconservative

Metaculus Prediction