‘Polished communicator’: France’s ‘young, energetic’ PM a popular minister who ‘gets things done’

Gabriel Attal was named Tuesday as France’s youngest-ever prime minister, as President Emmanuel Macron seeks a fresh start for the rest of his term amid growing political pressure from the far right. Attal, 34, rose to prominence as the government spokesman then education minister and had polled as the most popular minister in the outgoing government. He is France’s first openly gay prime minister. His predecessor Elisabeth Borne resigned Monday following recent political turmoil over an immigration law that strengthens the government’s ability to deport foreigners. Macron’s office announced the appointment in a statement. He will work with Attal to name a new government in the coming days, though some key ministers are expected to continue in their posts. As France’s youngest-ever president appoints the country’s youngest-ever and first openly gay prime minister, FRANCE 24’s Nadia Massih is joined by Paul Smith, Associate Professor in French History and Politics at the University of Nottingham.