“Gabriel Attal is simple, he has never changed”: what they think of the new Prime Minister

Son premier déplacement de ministre de l'Education nationale, c'était dans l'Hérault. Midi Libre – SYLVIE CAMBON

Ils sont secrétaire d’Etat, élus, militants, enseignant ou citoyen et ils ont côtoyé, plus ou moins longtemps, Gabriel Attal. Voici ce qu’ils disent du nouveau Premier ministre.

He arrived in his shirt sleeves, in the heart of summer, on the construction site of the Jacques-Chirac school in Castelnau-le-Lez. Gabriel Attal's first trip as Minister of National Education was to Hérault. That day, he already struck hard by affirming to Midi Libre his intention to oppose the wearing of the abaya at the start of the school year. We know the rest…

The new Prime Minister has visited the region several times. At Grau-du-Roi in the summer of 2019, in Montpellier in January 2021 to defend government measures against Covid, in May 2023 in La Grande-Motte and Mauguio, where he will return at the end of the year to a two-day trip to the constituency of MP Patrick Vignal. “At each visit, he showed his sense of empathy. To do politics, you have to love people and this is one of Gabriel Attal's primary qualities, observes the parliamentarian. In Saint-Aunès, he organized a morning of dialogue with around a hundred elected officials from municipal youth councils in the area. "He knew how to talk to the children, but also to their parents and grandparents. It is aimed at all generations and that is what makes it popular. He's like the ideal son-in-law, with an iron fist in a velvet glove.

On the ground, here in Mauguio, "he has a sense of empathy", assures Patrick Vignal. Free Midi – GIACOMO ITALIANO

"A very pragmatic approach"

The day before, in Mauguio, Gabriel Attal had agreed to a meeting with eight history-geography teachers in a “face to face” meeting, without the authorities at his side. "Within range of slaps, he has political courage", translates Patrick Vignal. The minister did not need to show his muscles. “On a human level, he demonstrated very attentive, relevant listening," remembers Céline Fériaud. But more than the form, it was the substance that impressed the teacher. "He showed a very detailed knowledge of files, whatever the subject, with a very pragmatic approach, always in the search for solutions and even consensus, which is not always the case in our institution. Above all, he had thoughts in keeping with our times, for example raising the question of artificial intelligence. I would say that he made his young age an asset, she concludes.

"A true grassroots activist"

The same evening, Gabriel Attal also seduced the Renaissance activists brought together by his government colleague, the Secretary of State for Veterans Patricia Mirallès. "He himself remains a true grassroots activist, which is what allows him to create a connection with people. He knows how to listen and convince, because he is both brilliant and hardworking,” she says, revealing friendly relations. "He came to eat at my parents' house. That said, if I am reappointed, he will be my Prime Minister and I will be able to send him to you.

With the children, in Saint-Aunès. "He speaks to all generations". Midi Libre – MiKAEL ANISSET

"He doesn't take it easy"

In the Gard too, we note “its simplicity”, first highlights the Bagnolais Jérôme Talon, member of the governing bodies of Renaissance. He knew him a long time ago, when he was still a young socialist. “He was already an advisor to Marisol Touraine, I was in Pierre Moscovici's network and we were preparing the presidential campaign. We found ourselves in 2016 behind Emmanuel Macron. At the time, he didn't take it easy, he was a simple person and honestly, he never changed, even when he became a deputy and then a minister. Certainly, the role means that we no longer approach him in the same way, but his personality has not changed. On the other hand, he has taken a hit, and that is what will allow him to give new momentum to this mandate. Because beyond his youth, he is a man of political combat, who will also be able to seek compromise, without falling into compromise,” he enthuses. il.

The MoDem deputy Philippe Berta, who once sat in the same committee as Gabriel Attal in the National Assembly, also particularly retains his skills. "Already, he radiated with a verve, a speech and a culture that astonished. He is a political animal of the new generation, the President was right to call on him.

"From college to ministerial cabinet"

Some are still more skeptical, like the senator from Hérault Hussein Bourgi who claims not to have often encountered him when he still had his socialist card, "because he did not ;rsquo;has never been a grassroots activist. He went directly from college to the ministerial cabinet of Marisol Touraine. Good meetings at the right time… ", he jokes.

"It's Macronie"

Lorris Chabert, trade unionist studying at Scum, does not speak of a good meeting. During an operation "facing the readers" from Midi Libre, two years ago, he had scrapped with Gabriel Attal. "I asked him about the student precariousness that Covid was accelerating, he was cynical, contemptuous. Attal is Macronie, there is nothing to hope for, his young age will not change anything,” snaps the Montpellier student. Difficult to achieve unanimity.

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