Gabriel Attal Becomes France’s First Gay Prime Minister
French President Emmanuel Macron has appointed Gabriel Attan to the position of Prime Minister making him the first openly LGBTQIA+ Prime Minister of France. President Macron’s appointment of Attal precedes the upcoming European parliamentary elections signposting Macron’s desire to shift public opinion in favour of his party.
A positive trend in LGBTQIA+ leadership
Political watchdogs have noted that Macron’s close allyship with Attal is a core reason for the latter’s rise. Before landing his current position Attal was France’s education minister and grew in public notoriety following his stint as government spokesman during the COVID pandemic.
Attal is not only the first openly gay Prime Minister of France he is also the youngest taking the helm at 34 years old. His incumbency follows the retirement of Elisabeth Borne; a fellow member of President Macron’s Renaissance party.
Political commentators do not expect this handover of power to change anything significantly beyond helping Macron maintain his influence and popularity within parliament. But, what is noteworthy is how Gabriel Attal now joins a growing list of LGBTQIA+ political leaders in Europe.
Mr Attal is among heads of state such as San Marino’s Paolo Rondelli and Latvia’s Edgars Rinkēvičs. He also joins Prime Ministers and heads of government who are LGBTQIA+ such as Belgium’s Elio Di Rupo, Ireland’s Leo Varadkar, Luxembourg’s Xavier Bettel and Andorra’s Xavier Espot Zamora.
Attal announced his gratittude for being appointed to his position saying: “Thank you Mr President for your trust. I appreciate the honour given to me to be appointed Prime Minister. One course: keep control of our destiny, unleash French potential and rearm our country. At work, with strength, humility and without taboos in the service of the French.”
