French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne Resigns Ahead of Cabinet Reshuffle; Gabriel Attal Emerges as Potential Successor

In a strategic move to inject fresh momentum into the final three years of his presidency, French President Emmanuel Macron accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne on Monday. Borne’s departure sets the stage for a long-anticipated cabinet reshuffle, with Education Minister Gabriel Attal, 34, emerging as the leading candidate to succeed her. If appointed, Attal would make history as France’s youngest-ever and first openly gay prime minister.

Key Developments:

1. Resignation of Elisabeth Borne: French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne submitted her government’s resignation to President Macron, who accepted it. Borne, 62, faced challenges during her less-than-two-year tenure, including protests over pension reforms, the loss of the overall majority in parliamentary elections, and controversies surrounding immigration legislation.
2. Gabriel Attal as Potential Successor: Education Minister Gabriel Attal, known for his role as the government spokesman during the Covid-19 pandemic, is emerging as the favorite to succeed Borne. At 34, Attal would become France’s youngest prime minister and the first openly gay person to hold the position.
3. Cabinet Reshuffle Anticipation: The cabinet reshuffle is viewed as crucial for Macron’s centrist presidency, aiming to avoid him becoming a “lame duck” leader amid various crises. Other potential candidates for the prime ministerial role include Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu and former Agriculture Minister Julien Denormandie.
4. Macron’s Acknowledgment of Borne: In a statement, Macron expressed gratitude to Borne for her “exemplary” service to the nation without explicitly mentioning her resignation. The move is seen as part of Macron’s strategy to bring new life to his administration and navigate a more turbulent parliament.
5. Gabriel Attal’s Political Career: Attal, a close ally of Macron, served as the government spokesman during the pandemic and gained popularity for his communication skills. His ban on the Muslim abaya dress in state schools and his stance on bullying added to his profile. As Macron prepares for a significant cabinet reshuffle, the potential appointment of Gabriel Attal as the new prime minister signals a generational shift and a historic moment for France. The changes aim to address challenges faced by the Macron administration and set a new course for the final phase of his presidency.