Gabriel Attal, favorite for Matignon: the meteoric rise of the first of the Macronist class

Gabriel Attal arrives in Matignon at the age of 34. He becomes the youngest Prime Minister in history. Midi Libre – MiKAEL ANISSET

At 34, Gabriel Attal could become the youngest Prime Minister in history. A flawless journey for this former socialist, who joined Emmanuel Macron in 2016. Portrait of a gifted politician. 

We may have to rewrite the history books. This Tuesday, January 9, the youngest Prime Minister in the history of the Fifth Republic could no longer be Laurent Fabius, appointed by François Mitterrand in 1984 at the age of 37 years and 11 months, but Gabriel Attal, now the favorite to land at Matignon at 34 years and 9 months.

Attal, head of government, would be the continuation of the meteoric rise of the gifted Macronie. Barely appointed to National Education last July where he shook up the codes, announcing over the weeks often disruptive reforms (level groups, fight against harassment, experimentation on education). uniform, empathy course…), he could be appointed to Matignon, thanks to rare popularity in recent times for a minister of Emmanuel Macron. In the latest ranking of political figures published at the start of 2024, he is even close behind Edouard Philippe with 40% of favorable opinions.

Ministerial advisor, municipal councilor, deputy…

A native of Clamart, Gabriel Attal has always been one of the top of the class. Not to mention the first! Elected municipal councilor in Vanves at the age of 25 in 2014, two years after joining the cabinet of Minister of Health Marisol Touraine – who had spotted her after an internship that he had carried out alongside her at the National Assembly – the graduate of the Paris Political Institute was then the ;one of the youngest deputies of the first Macron legislature, widely elected in 2017 in the 10th constituency of Hauts-de-Seine. He joined the En Marche! movement in 2016, after his first steps in politics within the Socialist Party. Relatives once revealed that it was a demonstration against the presence of Jean-Marie Le Pen in the second round of the 2002 presidential election that gave rise to his commitment.< /p>

Spotted by the Elysée among the numerous deputies of the majority as one of the most talented, in particular for his ability to defend the policies of the President of the Republic in the media, Gabriel Attal has very was quickly called to other functions. This is how in October 2018, he was appointed Secretary of State to the Minister of National Education… and became the youngest Minister of Education# 39;History at the age of 29. A good school ? He will then take on a series of ministerial portfolios. The very exposed spokesperson for the government from 2020 to 2022. Then the Public Accounts until July 2023. To better return to rue de Grenelle, this time in the minister's office.

A return to school without a false note

The bet was daring, in this ministry where there is never a shortage of hot issues. Or the slightest reform can bring its contingent of demonstrators to the streets. A ministry, above all, over which the President of the Republic and his wife want to keep control, as his predecessor Pap Ndaye learned to his cost. Gabriel Attal knew he was expected at the turn, he took the lead, stepping up to the plate on the abaya even before the start of the school year, a controversy which immediately died down. The young minister was able to appeal beyond the Macronist electorate by affirming the need for authority at school, by placing priority on fundamental knowledge. His management of the attack which occurred on October 13 in the Arras high school was also appreciated. A flawless mark on his first semester report card.

"Young people are also the present"

Here he is, preparing to skip another class early by going to Matignon. Too young ? During a trip to Hérault last November, in front of an assembly of children and adolescents from the area, Gabriel Attal revealed this confidence: " When I was appointed Minister of National Education, I met Nicolas Sarkozy and I asked him if he thought I was too young for the position. He replied: I've been told that all my life. The minister then added: "they say that young people are the future, but young people are also and above all the present".

His present could therefore now be Matignon. And the future ? Gabriel Attal, who would also go down in history as the first gay Prime Minister, would then have to face challenges numerous challenges, starting with European elections announced as difficult for his party. He would also have to succeed in convincing people beyond his majority to push through ambitious reforms, a challenge. Some heavyweights from Macronie, who are thinking of 2027, would perhaps also be tempted to put a spoke in the wheels of this young wolf. But at his age, a failure does not ;wouldn't stop me from climbing the last step one day. 

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