France’s new prime minister, Gabriel Attal, at 34 is the youngest ever. He is already being seen as a contender to succeed Emannuel Macron, France’s youngest ever president.
ARI SHAPIRO, HOST:
France has a new prime minister. At 34, Gabriel Attal is the youngest head of government in French history, and he’s also the first who’s openly gay. Emmanuel Macron is reshuffling his cabinet to boost his flagging presidency. By naming Attal, he hopes to inspire a younger generation. NPR’s Eleanor Beardsley reports.
ELEANOR BEARDSLEY, BYLINE: Gabriel Attal’s rise to power has been meteoric, much like that of his boss, Emmanuel Macron. Within 10 years, Attal went from an internship in the health ministry to the second-highest office in the French Republic.
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UNIDENTIFIED PERSON #1: (Speaking French).
BEARDSLEY: French television has been obsessively discussing his life.
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UNIDENTIFIED PERSON #2: (Speaking French).
BEARDSLEY: As a kid, Attal wanted to be an actor. He got into politics as a socialist before pivoting to the right and joining Macron’s campaign six years ago. Attal was appointed education minister only five months ago. He immediately impressed by tackling bullying…
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PRIME MINISTER GABRIEL ATTAL: (Speaking French).
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BEARDSLEY: …And by banning the long Muslim robe known as the abaya in public schools. Abaya-wearing wasn’t exactly France’s biggest problem, and some were critical, but in a country where secularism is up there with liberte, egalite and fraternite, and two teachers have been killed by Islamist radicals, the move was popular. Attal has a sense of communication, says journalist Ludovic Vigogne, who covers politics for newspaper the Sunday Tribune.
LUDOVIC VIGOGNE: (Through interpreter) Macron wants to open a new page with Attal. He’s betting on youth. He’s also picking someone who is a good communicator….
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