France president Emmanuel Macron is looking to reset his administration amidst sagging poll numbers and national discontent.
So naturally, he’s turning to the gays!
Gabriel Attal became the youngest prime minister in French history Tuesday, continuing his ascendent rise to the top of the country’s political landscape. One of France’s most popular politicians, he served as the government’s official spokesperson during the COVID pandemic, and was Macron’s education minister.
How about we take this to the next level?
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But we’re burying the lede. Attal isn’t just one of the most powerful out gay politicians in the world. He’s also one of the dreamiest.
Hello, monsieur!
Attal, 34, is the consummate handsome pol: great bone structure, beautiful head of hair, commanding presence. When his promotion was announced, gays everywhere were suddenly very interested in the French education system.
Do you think Attal could set up some lessons for us?
OK, OK. We need to get a grip. Sure, Attal might be easy on the eyes. But he’s also quite accomplished!
Despite his youth, Attal is an experienced political operative. He received his start in government as a health ministry staffer at 23, around the time his college classmates predicted he would be a future president.
Growing up Attal, who attended one of Paris’ elite private schools, says he was subjected to homophobic bullying. Though he’s been criticized for his privileged background, he experienced some personal hardships growing up, such as his parents’ divorce.
As education minister, one of Attal’s top priorities was bringing awareness to the plight of bullying.
At 16 years old, he joined France’s Socialist Party, before he was even legally allowed to vote. Attal left the Socialist Party in 2016 to back Macron’s presidential bid.
Macron expressed confidence Tuesday in Attal’s ability to handle the PM job.
“Dear @GabrielAttal, I know I can count on your energy and your commitment to implement the rearmament and regeneration project that I announced,” he posted on social media. “In fidelity to the spirit of 2017: surpassing and audacity. In the service of the Nation and the French.”
Attal, in turn, said he wants to restore trust in government, as he restored trust in the nations’ education system.
“In recent months, I have devoted all my energy to giving hope to the French by working to restore our Schools,” he posted. “I take this cause with me here to Matignon. It is the mother of all our battles. It will be one of the absolute priorities of my action at the head of the Government.”
Attal is replacing Elisabeth Borne, whose 20-month tenure was dominated by domestic unrest. Macron’s party is trailing badly in the polls leading up to this summer’s elections, where he will take on far-right leader Marine Le Pen.
Attal, who polls say is the most well-liked member of Macron’s cabinet, is aware of the challenges ahead.
“I’m well aware of the context in which I take on this job,” he said, via Reuters. “Too many French doubt our country, doubt themselves or our future. I think in particular of the middle class … who get up every morning to go to work … and sometimes can’t make ends meet.”
Of course, Attal’s legacy will be determined by his actions in office. But so far, he’s nailing his first impression.
At least to us, which is all that matters, right?
More like FINE minister
— Solomon Ni 倪际宇 (@SolomonNi_) January 8, 2024
wow
— sean (@_sn_n) January 8, 2024
m
Mmmm??
JOJO
You’ll get no argument from me that he’s centerfold material, but you’d need either a miracle or a new candidate for Macron’s party to win re-election. From the yellow vest movement that was a reaction to higher taxes to his administration cutting benefits to older Francaise, I would be surprised if that handsome young thing will be of any benefit.
Covid Hermit
How is it that other countries (Canada, France) can have attractive leaders and we get stuck with Orange Jesus?
Joshooeerr
Karma?
Bbj
He is cute ok, but he is also a copy of Emmanuel Macron, an old man in a young body.
He didn’t have time to finish his term as Minister of Education (4 months !) before being offered the position of Prime Minister, and he’ll have to lead ministers twice his age. We still have no idea about the results of his political decisions.
It’s another political maneuver by Macron, the king of communication, to divert attention from all the scandals and messes he’s plunged the country into, just a few months before the European elections.
The only positive point is how little the French care about his homosexuality; there’s progress on that front.
nm4047
3 years before the next French Presidential elections. Nobody in Europe cares about EU elections.
Bbj
nm4047, you’re completely wrong. In France, everybody is focused on it, because the EU is the one behind the non stop immigration, who became a big problem in the country. It is almost impossible to send the criminals back to their country, and 75% of the prison population are immigrant. Because the prison are full, it became extremely rare to send them there, and the streets are becoming more and more violent.
Kangol2
He appears to be Macron-lite. Those good looks and youthfulness aside, Attal will have quite a task on his shoulders trying to avoid a parliamentary loss for his party. He also is from an elite background, so does he really have any sense–he hasn’t demonstrated it so far, though he might–of what middle-class, working-class and poor French people are experiencing right now? Maybe he’ll surprise France and the globe and do a decent job. First challenges: not just the elections this upcoming summer, but the Paris Olympics, which will be unfolding as the eastern edge of Europe and the Middle East are plunged into crisis. Talk about being handled a hot, potentially exploding potato!
decampbell
How is it that the witch Marine LePen is still around and a dangerous threat to France?
Mattster
You mean other than her pact with Satan?
storm45701
The same reason Trump still haunts the U.S.: too many supporters to completely ignore
SFMike
Every time I see a picture of the lying orange traitor running for president again I “wanna pack up & move to Paris!”
Baron Wiseman
@SFMike
I’m sorry “the lying orange traitor’ occupies so much space in your head. 🙁
Diplomat
I sure get that. But then their’s the idea of sticking around and watching Trump and his nazi regime whirl down the toilet bowl. Tho watching from the Eiffel Tower would certainly be a joy.
dbmcvey
About as much as trans people occupy in your head, Baron.
BDAguy
And by the way, his partner is also stunning and a ranking Member of the European Parliament; a real gay power couple for Europe. Gay men now occupy the PM office in France, Ireland, Luxembourg and the presidency of Latvia.
That all said, young Mr Attal has a significant number of controversial and pressing matters to attend to; one hopes his youth gives him the strength to pull off being PM without older pols – bypassed for this prestigious and thankless office – sabotaging Attal because he is gay or young.
abfab
The new Queen Of France! Sorry sir, but Gilda Radner can do that better than you. RIP child.