Gabriel Attal

{{infobox officeholder

| name = Gabriel Attal

| image = Gabriel Attal, February 2023.jpg

| caption = Attal in 2023

| office = General Secretary of Renaissance

| term_start = 8 December 2024

| term_end =

| predecessor = Stéphane Séjourné

| successor =

| office1 = President of the Renaissance group in the National Assembly

| term_start1 = 5 September 2024

| term_end1 =

| predecessor1 = Sylvain Maillard

| successor1 =

| office2 = Prime Minister of France

| president2 = Emmanuel Macron

| term_start2 = 9 January 2024

| term_end2 = 5 September 2024

| predecessor2 = Élisabeth Borne

| successor2 = Michel Barnier

| office3 = Minister of National Education and Youth

| primeminister3 = Élisabeth Borne

| term_start3 = 20 July 2023

| term_end3 = 9 January 2024

| predecessor3 = Pap Ndiaye

| successor3 = Amélie Oudéa-Castéra

| office4 = Minister of Public Action and Accounts

| primeminister4 = Élisabeth Borne

| term_start4 = 20 May 2022

| term_end4 = 20 July 2023

| predecessor4 = Olivier Dussopt

| successor4 = Thomas Cazenave

| office5 = Spokesperson of the Government

| primeminister5 = Jean Castex

| term_start5 = 6 July 2020

| term_end5 = 20 May 2022

| predecessor5 = Sibeth Ndiaye

| successor5 = Olivia Grégoire

| office6 = Secretary of State to the Minister of National Education and Youth

| primeminister6 = Édouard Philippe

| term_start6 = 16 October 2018

| term_end6 = 6 July 2020

| predecessor6 = Position established

| successor6 = Sarah El Haïry

| office7 = Spokesperson of La République En Marche!

| term_start7 = 4 January 2018

| term_end7 = 16 October 2018

| predecessor7 = Benjamin Griveaux

| successor7 = Laetitia Avia

| office8 = Member of the National Assembly
for Hauts-de-Seine's 10th constituency

| term_start8 = 8 July 2024

| term_end8 =

| predecessor8 = Claire Guichard

| successor8 =

| term_start9 = 22 June 2022

| term_end9 = 22 July 2022

| predecessor9 = Florence Provendier

| successor9 = Claire Guichard

| term_start10 = 21 June 2017

| term_end10 = 16 November 2018

| predecessor10 = André Santini

| successor10 = Florence Provendier

| birth_name = Gabriel Nissim Attal

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1989|03|16|df=yes}}

| birth_place = Clamart, France

| party = Renaissance (since 2016)

| education = École alsacienne

| alma_mater = Sciences Po

| partner = Stéphane Séjourné (2015–2022)

| otherparty = Socialist Party (2006–2016)

| signature = Signature Gabriel Attal.svg

| term_start11 = 30 March 2014

| office11 = Member of the Vanves City Council

}}

Gabriel Nissim Attal de Couriss ({{IPA|fr|ɡabʁijɛl atal|lang|LL-Q150 (fra)-Fabricio Cardenas (Culex)-Gabriel Attal.wav}}; born 16 March 1989) is a French politician who was the prime minister of France from January to September 2024. He was the youngest and the first openly gay prime minister in French history. A member of the Renaissance party, he previously served in the French Parliament and in various ministerial positions.

Following his election to the National Assembly in the 2017 French legislative election, Attal became the junior minister to the minister of national education and youth in 2018, which made him the youngest person to serve in the Government of France since the establishment of the Fifth Republic. He later served as the spokesperson of the government in 2020; the minister of public action and accounts in 2022; and the minister of national education and youth in 2023. On 9 January 2024, amid a major government crisis, Attal was appointed to replace Élisabeth Borne as the prime minister by French president Emmanuel Macron, at age 34.

In June 2024, Macron dissolved the National Assembly and called a snap election following the defeat suffered by his political alliance in the 2024 European Parliament election. Attal led the ruling Ensemble coalition into the 2024 legislative election which resulted in another hung parliament and electoral defeat for the government. On 7 July 2024, Attal announced his resignation as prime minister; accepted by President Macron on 16 July 2024. He remained as head of a caretaker government until Michel Barnier succeeded him on 5 September 2024.

Early life and education

Attal was born on 16 March 1989 in Clamart, Île-de-France. He grew up in the 13th and 14th arrondissements of Paris with three sisters. His father, Yves Attal, was a lawyer and film producer; his mother, Marie de Couriss,{{efn|When his parents divorced, Attal added de Couriss to his name.{{cite web|url=https://www.francetvinfo.fr/economie/transports/gilets-jaunes/critique-des-medias-attaques-sur-macron-on-a-lu-crepuscule-le-livre-censure-de-juan-branco_3403909.html|title=Critique des médias, attaques sur Macron... On a lu "Crépuscule", le livre "censuré" de Juan Branco|date=25 April 2019|work=France Info|language=fr|access-date=10 January 2024|archive-date=8 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230808203604/https://www.francetvinfo.fr/economie/transports/gilets-jaunes/critique-des-medias-attaques-sur-macron-on-a-lu-crepuscule-le-livre-censure-de-juan-branco_3403909.html|url-status=live}}}} worked as an employee of a film production company.{{cite web|first=Delphine|last=Bancaud|url=https://www.20minutes.fr/societe/2355071-20181016-gabriel-attal-plus-jeune-membre-gouvernement-ve-republique|title=Qui est Gabriel Attal, le plus jeune membre d'un gouvernement de la Ve République?|trans-title=Who is Gabriel Attal, the youngest member of a government of the Fifth Republic?|language=fr|publisher=20 Minutes|date=16 October 2018|access-date=26 October 2018|archive-date=14 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230414003743/https://www.20minutes.fr/societe/2355071-20181016-gabriel-attal-plus-jeune-membre-gouvernement-ve-republique|url-status=live}} His father was Jewish and his mother a Russian Orthodox Christian; Attal was raised in his mother's Orthodox Christian faith.

Attal attended the École alsacienne, an exclusive private school in the 6th arrondissement of Paris. He obtained a Baccalauréat with a "Mention Très Bien" in 2007.{{cite web |title=Résultat bac 2007 académie de Paris - Gabriel Attal |trans-title=2007 Baccalaureate Results, Paris Academy - Gabriel Attal |url=https://resultat-bac.linternaute.com/academie-paris#candidate=candidat-12059133 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240111092332/https://resultat-bac.linternaute.com/academie-paris#candidate=candidat-12059133 |archive-date=11 January 2024 |access-date=11 January 2024 |website=resultat-bac.linternaute.com |language=fr}} He went on to study law at Panthéon-Assas University from 2008 to 2011, and earned a Master of Public Affairs from Sciences Po in 2012. He also spent a year (2009–2010) working with Éric de Chassey, director of the French Academy in Rome.{{cite web|first=Pierrick|last=Baudais|url=https://www.ouest-france.fr/politique/la-republique-en-marche/qui-est-gabriel-attal-le-futur-porte-parole-de-la-republique-en-marche-5460510|title=Qui est Gabriel Attal, le futur porte-parole de la République en marche?|trans-title=Who is Gabriel Attal, the future spokesperson for the Republic on the move?|language=fr|publisher=Ouest-France|date=20 December 2017|access-date=26 October 2018|archive-date=1 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231001223449/https://www.ouest-france.fr/politique/la-republique-en-marche/qui-est-gabriel-attal-le-futur-porte-parole-de-la-republique-en-marche-5460510|url-status=live}}

His earliest political activity was participation in the 2006 youth protests in France.{{cite news |author=Laurent Telo |date=13 April 2018 |title=Du Parti socialiste à La République en marche, la mue fulgurante de Gabriel Attal |trans-title=From the Socialist Party to La République En Marche!, the dazzling transformation of Gabriel Attal |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/m-gens-portrait/article/2018/04/13/du-parti-socialiste-a-la-republique-en-marche-la-mue-fulgurante-de-gabriel-attal_5285146_4497229.html |access-date=26 October 2017 |newspaper=Le Monde.fr |publisher=Le Monde |language=fr |archive-date=1 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231001223837/https://www.lemonde.fr/m-gens-portrait/article/2018/04/13/du-parti-socialiste-a-la-republique-en-marche-la-mue-fulgurante-de-gabriel-attal_5285146_4497229.html |url-status=live }} Taking up a place at Sciences Po in 2007, he created a committee for the support of Íngrid Betancourt, the Franco-Colombian hostage held by the FARC.{{cite web |last=Jeudy |first=Bruno |date=20 August 2018 |title=Gabriel Attal : "Le jour où je rencontre Ingrid Betancourt" |trans-title=Gabriel Attal: "The day I meet Ingrid Betancourt" |url=https://www.parismatch.com/Actu/Politique/Gabriel-Attal-Le-jour-ou-je-rencontre-Ingrid-Betancourt-1569221 |access-date=26 October 2018 |publisher=Paris Match |language=fr |archive-date=1 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231001223214/https://www.parismatch.com/Actu/Politique/Gabriel-Attal-Le-jour-ou-je-rencontre-Ingrid-Betancourt-1569221 |url-status=live }}

Political career

= Early political career =

After an internship at the French National Assembly with Marisol Touraine during the 2012 presidential campaign, Attal worked for five years as an assistant to the Minister of Health, a role which involved parliamentary liaison and speechwriting.{{cite web |date=19 June 2017 |title=Qui est Gabriel Attal, votre député (LREM) d'Issy-Vanves |trans-title=Who is Gabriel Attal, your deputy (LREM) of Issy-Vanves |url=http://www.leparisien.fr/vanves-92170/qui-est-gabriel-attal-votre-depute-lrem-d-issy-vanves-19-06-2017-7067613.php |access-date=26 October 2018 |publisher=Le Parisien |language=fr |archive-date=31 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331220020/http://www.leparisien.fr/vanves-92170/qui-est-gabriel-attal-votre-depute-lrem-d-issy-vanves-19-06-2017-7067613.php |url-status=live }}

In the 2014 municipal elections, Attal was placed fifth on the Socialist Party list. He was elected as one of the four Socialist Party councillors of Vanves and took over the lead of the opposition, after the resignation of the head of the socialist list.{{cite web|first=Amélie|last=Petitdemange|url=https://start.lesechos.fr/actu-entreprises/societe/gabriel-attal-un-vingtenaire-debarque-dans-le-gouvernement-13143.php|title=Gabriel Attal: un vingtenaire débarque dans le gouvernement|trans-title=Gabriel Attal: a twenty-something arrives in the government|language=fr|publisher=Les Échos|date=16 October 2018|access-date=26 October 2018|archive-date=26 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026182820/https://start.lesechos.fr/actu-entreprises/societe/gabriel-attal-un-vingtenaire-debarque-dans-le-gouvernement-13143.php|url-status=live}}

=Member of the National Assembly (2017–2018)=

File:Gabriel Attal 02 (cropped).jpg

Attal was elected to the French National Assembly on 18 June 2017, representing the Hauts-de-Seine's 10th constituency, winning out over the designated successor of André Santini.{{Cite web |title=Elections législatives 2017 |trans-title=2017 legislative elections |url=https://www.archives-resultats-elections.interieur.gouv.fr/resultats/legislatives-2017/092/09210.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240109152600/https://www.archives-resultats-elections.interieur.gouv.fr/resultats/legislatives-2017/092/09210.php |archive-date=9 January 2024 |access-date=19 June 2017 |publisher=Ministry of the Interior |language=fr}}

Attal was quickly considered one of the most talented new members of parliament, with Amélie de Montchalin.{{cite news|first=Alexandre|last=Lemarié|url=https://www.lemonde.fr/gouvernement-philippe/article/2018/10/16/gabriel-attal-secretaire-d-etat-aupres-de-blanquer_5369998_5129180.html|title=Gabriel Attal, Secretary of State at Blanquer|language=fr|publisher=Le Monde|date=16 October 2018|access-date=26 October 2018|archive-date=6 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806070155/https://www.lemonde.fr/gouvernement-philippe/article/2018/10/16/gabriel-attal-secretaire-d-etat-aupres-de-blanquer_5369998_5129180.html|url-status=live}} As a deputy of the National Assembly, he became a member of the Committee on Cultural and Education Affairs, where he served as whip of the group La République En Marche!.{{cite web|first1=Caroline|last1=Vigoureux|first2=Jean-Jérôme|last2=Bertolus|url=https://www.lopinion.fr/edition/politique/whips-deputes-lrem-l-ombre-role-strategique-133927|title=Les whips, ces députés LREM de l'ombre au rôle stratégique|trans-title=The whips, these LREM deputies from the shadow to the strategic role|language=fr|publisher=L'Opinion|date=13 September 2017|access-date=26 October 2018|archive-date=13 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200813235247/https://www.lopinion.fr/edition/politique/whips-deputes-lrem-l-ombre-role-strategique-133927|url-status=live}}

In December 2017, Attal was appointed rapporteur on a bill on access to higher education.{{cite news |first1=Camille |last1=Stromboni |first2=Alexandre |last2=Lemarié |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/education/article/2017/12/04/gabriel-attal-il-faudra-etre-tres-vigilant-sur-la-rentree-2018-a-l-universite_5224545_1473685.html |title=Gabriel Attal : « Il faudra être très vigilant sur la rentrée 2018 à l'université » |trans-title=Gabriel Attal: "It will be necessary to be very vigilant on the re-entry 2018 at the university" |language=fr |publisher=Le Monde |date=4 December 2017 |access-date=26 October 2018 |archive-date=1 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231001223522/https://www.lemonde.fr/education/article/2017/12/04/gabriel-attal-il-faudra-etre-tres-vigilant-sur-la-rentree-2018-a-l-universite_5224545_1473685.html |url-status=live }}

Attal was named chairperson of La République En Marche! in January 2018{{cite web|url=https://www.francetvinfo.fr/replay-radio/8h30-aphatie/un-honneur-le-depute-gabriel-attal-sera-le-porte-parole-de-lrem-en-janvier_2500479.html|title="Un honneur": le député Gabriel Attal sera le porte-parole de LREM en janvier|trans-title="An honor": the MP Gabriel Attal will be the spokesperson of LREM in January|language=fr|publisher=France Info|date=20 December 2017|access-date=26 October 2018|archive-date=1 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231001223248/https://www.francetvinfo.fr/replay-radio/8h30-aphatie/un-honneur-le-depute-gabriel-attal-sera-le-porte-parole-de-lrem-en-janvier_2500479.html|url-status=live}} and in September 2018, after the election of Richard Ferrand to the presidency of the National Assembly, he ran as a candidate to succeed him as president of the group La République En Marche!, but withdrew his candidacy the day before the election when he was considered one of the three favourites.{{cite web |first=Mathilde |last=Siraud |url=http://www.lefigaro.fr/politique/le-scan/2018/09/17/25001-20180917ARTFIG00198-presidence-du-groupe-larem-a-l-assemblee-gabriel-attal-jette-l-eponge.php |title=Présidence du groupe LaREM à l'Assemblée: Attal et Bonnell jettent l'éponge |trans-title=Presidency of the LREM Group in the Assembly: Attal and Bonnell throw in the towel |language=fr |publisher=Le Figaro |date=18 September 2018 |access-date=26 October 2018 |archive-date=6 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231006083314/https://www.lefigaro.fr/politique/le-scan/2018/09/17/25001-20180917ARTFIG00198-presidence-du-groupe-larem-a-l-assemblee-gabriel-attal-jette-l-eponge.php |url-status=live}} He later endorsed Roland Lescure.{{cite news |last=Boichot |first=Loris |date=14 September 2018 |title=Qui sont les sept macronistes qui veulent diriger les députés LaREM après Ferrand? |trans-title=Who are the seven Macronists who want to lead the LaREM deputies after Ferrand? |url=https://www.lefigaro.fr/politique/le-scan/2018/09/14/25001-20180914ARTFIG00308-qui-sont-les-dix-macronistes-qui-veulent-diriger-les-deputes-larem-apres-ferrand.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231001223311/https://www.lefigaro.fr/politique/le-scan/2018/09/14/25001-20180914ARTFIG00308-qui-sont-les-dix-macronistes-qui-veulent-diriger-les-deputes-larem-apres-ferrand.php |archive-date=1 October 2023 |access-date=13 April 2020 |publisher=Le Figaro}}

=Government minister (2018–2024)=

File:FIBD2019GabrielAttal.jpg

On 16 October 2018, Attal was appointed Secrétaire d'État (junior minister) to the Minister of National Education and Youth Jean-Michel Blanquer. At 29, he was the youngest member of a government under the Fifth Republic, beating the previous record set by François Baroin in 1995 by a few months. As a junior minister, he was responsible for youth issues and setting up universal national service. From 2020 to 2022, he was the government spokesperson under Prime Minister Jean Castex.{{cite news |date=6 July 2020 |title=Gouvernement Castex en direct: Darmanin nommé ministre de l'intérieur, Dupond-Moretti garde des sceaux et Bachelot à la culture |trans-title=Castex government live: Darmanin appointed Minister of the Interior, Dupond-Moretti Keeper of the Seals, and Bachelot in charge of Culture |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/politique/live/2020/07/06/en-direct-la-composition-du-gouvernement-de-jean-castex-annoncee-a-19-heures_6045386_823448.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101162547/https://www.lemonde.fr/politique/live/2020/07/06/en-direct-la-composition-du-gouvernement-de-jean-castex-annoncee-a-19-heures_6045386_823448.html |archive-date=1 November 2020 |access-date=6 July 2020 |website=Le Monde |language=fr}} He became Minister of Public Action and Accounts in the government of Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne in May 2022.{{cite news |last=Boiteau |first=Victor |date=20 May 2022 |title=Changement dans la continuité: Darmanin, Le Maire, Attal… Ces ministres qui remettent ça dans le gouvernement Borne |trans-title=Continuity in change: Darmanin, Le Maire, Attal… These ministers returning in the Borne government |url=https://www.liberation.fr/politique/darmanin-le-maire-attal-ces-ministres-qui-remettent-ca-dans-le-gouvernement-borne-20220520_652B4HABJBA2LMUNH4X4UQL5TU/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220602015356/https://www.liberation.fr/politique/darmanin-le-maire-attal-ces-ministres-qui-remettent-ca-dans-le-gouvernement-borne-20220520_652B4HABJBA2LMUNH4X4UQL5TU/ |archive-date=2 June 2022 |access-date=23 May 2022 |publisher=Libération |language=fr}}

In July 2023, Attal was appointed minister of national education and youth in the 2023 French government reshuffle.{{cite news |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/prewrite-macron-sacks-education-health-ministers-in-small-reshuffle/|title=Macron sacks education, health ministers in mini-reshuffle|date=20 July 2023|publisher=Politico|access-date=24 August 2023|archive-date=9 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240109134622/https://www.politico.eu/article/prewrite-macron-sacks-education-health-ministers-in-small-reshuffle/|url-status=live}} At the age of 34, he became the youngest person to hold that office under the Fifth Republic.{{cite news |last1=de Villaines |first1=Astrid |last2=Garcia |first2=Émilie |last3=Toussay |first3=Jade |date=20 July 2023 |title=Gabriel Attal ministre de l'Éducation nationale, itinéraire d'un surdoué de la politique |trans-title=Gabriel Attal, Minister of National Education, the journey of a political prodigy |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.fr/politique/video/remaniement-ministeriel-gabriel-attal-ministre-de-l-education-nationale-itineraire-d-un-surdoue-de-la-politique_220877.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230901192516/https://www.huffingtonpost.fr/politique/video/remaniement-ministeriel-gabriel-attal-ministre-de-l-education-nationale-itineraire-d-un-surdoue-de-la-politique_220877.html |archive-date=1 September 2023 |access-date=27 August 2023 |publisher=HuffPost |language=fr}} In this position, he announced the ban on abayas under the "principle of secularism", extending a ban on religious symbols in French public schools that already included Christian crosses, Jewish Kippahs and Islamic veils.{{cite news |last=Chrisafis |first=Angelique |date=28 August 2023 |title=France to ban girls from wearing abayas in state schools |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/28/france-to-ban-girls-from-wearing-abayas-in-state-schools |access-date=6 September 2023 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=5 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230905195208/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/28/france-to-ban-girls-from-wearing-abayas-in-state-schools |url-status=live}}{{cite web |date=27 August 2023 |title=French education minister announces ban on religious symbols and clothes in schools |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/french-education-minister-announces-ban-on-islamic-dress-in-schools/ |access-date=9 January 2024 |website=POLITICO |archive-date=9 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240109134800/https://www.politico.eu/article/french-education-minister-announces-ban-on-islamic-dress-in-schools/ |url-status=live}}

= Prime Minister (2024) =

file:AttalScholzBerlin20240205.jpg Olaf Scholz in Berlin on 5 February 2024]]

Following Borne's resignation as prime minister on 8 January 2024, media sources announced Attal as favourite to succeed her.{{Cite web |date=8 January 2024 |title=French PM resigns as Macron seeks to relaunch presidency |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20240108-macron-weighs-changing-french-pm-in-reshuffle |access-date=9 January 2024 |website=France 24 |archive-date=8 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240108182114/https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20240108-macron-weighs-changing-french-pm-in-reshuffle |url-status=live }} His appointment as Prime Minister was announced on 9 January 2024. At the age of 34, he became the youngest and the first openly gay person to hold the office in France.{{cite web |last=Willsher |first=Kim |date=9 January 2024 |title=Who is Gabriel Attal, the French PM who climbed the ranks in record time? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/jan/09/gabriel-attal-french-prime-minister |website=The Guardian |publisher= |access-date=9 January 2024 |archive-date=9 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240109145605/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/jan/09/gabriel-attal-french-prime-minister |url-status=live }}

Lacking a parliamentary majority as a result of the 2022 legislative election, Attal formed a minority government, the second one since the start of the Macron Presidency. He appointed what was widely described as the most right-leaning cabinet since Macron took office, with over half of his senior ministers previously coming from the conservative UMP/LR party.{{Cite news |date=11 January 2023|title=Attal government: Macronism shifts to the right|url=https://www.lesechos.fr/politique-societe/emmanuel-macron-president/gouvernement-attal-le-macronisme-vire-a-droite-2045871|access-date=12 January 2024|work=Les Échos|language=fr|archive-date=11 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240111192002/https://www.lesechos.fr/politique-societe/emmanuel-macron-president/gouvernement-attal-le-macronisme-vire-a-droite-2045871 |url-status=live}}

At the beginning of his tenure as prime minister, Attal was seen as one of the most popular politicians in France.{{cite web|url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20240110-eyeing-future-macron-breaks-with-tradition-by-picking-popular-pm|title=Eyeing future, Macron breaks with tradition by picking popular PM|date=10 January 2024|work=France 24|access-date=11 January 2024|archive-date=10 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240110155223/https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20240110-eyeing-future-macron-breaks-with-tradition-by-picking-popular-pm|url-status=live}} The French media speculated that he was a potential contender in the 2027 presidential election.{{cite web|url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20240109-attal-the-new-macron-at-helm-of-french-government|title=Attal: the 'new Macron' at helm of French government|date=9 January 2024|access-date=6 September 2024|work=France 24|archive-date=9 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240109134650/https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20240109-attal-the-new-macron-at-helm-of-french-government |url-status=live}}{{efn|Macron is not eligible for a third consecutive term in office; the president of France is only allowed two consecutive five-year terms in office and Macron was elected in 2017 and 2022.}}

On 16 January 2024, Attal announced that, like Élisabeth Borne before him, he would not be seeking a vote of confidence in the National Assembly as implicitly allowed in the French Constitution.{{Cite news |first=Olivier|last=Beaumont|date=16 January 2024 |title=General policy declaration: Gabriel Attal rejects the idea of a vote of confidence|url=https://www.leparisien.fr/politique/discours-de-politique-generale-gabriel-attal-ecarte-lidee-dun-vote-de-confiance-16-01-2024-NZVENRAHHFDNTBWDB2775MMZ3E.php|access-date=2024-01-16|work=Le Parisien|language=fr|archive-date=16 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116105510/https://www.leparisien.fr/politique/discours-de-politique-generale-gabriel-attal-ecarte-lidee-dun-vote-de-confiance-16-01-2024-NZVENRAHHFDNTBWDB2775MMZ3E.php |url-status=live}}

On 9 June 2024, Macron called a snap election after his party's disappointing results in the 2024 European Parliament election.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8009e2z4xlo|title=Macron takes huge risk with surprise election|date=9 June 2024|work=BBC|access-date=6 September 2024}} Although he was not in agreement with Macron's decision, Attal took on the leadership of Macron's

Ensemble alliance's election campaign.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c2q0rv05p19o|title=French PM in final appeal to stop far-right victory|date=29 June 2024|work=BBC|first=Paul|last=Kirby|access-date=6 September 2024}}{{cite web |last=Gatinois |first=Claire |date=14 June 2024 |title=Législatives: Gabriel Attal, chef de file du camp présidentiel, se lance dans la bataille malgré l'amertume |trans-title=Legislative elections: Gabriel Attal, leader of the presidential camp, enters the battle despite bitterness |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/politique/article/2024/06/14/legislatives-gabriel-attal-chef-de-file-du-camp-presidentiel-se-lance-dans-la-bataille-malgre-l-amertume_6239889_823448.html |access-date=6 September 2024 |work=Le Monde |language=fr}} In the first round of voting on 30 June, Ensemble won only 20.0% of the votes, in third place behind the far-right National Rally (RN) with 33.3% and the left-wing alliance New Popular Front (NFP) with 28.0%, which constituted the worst electoral performance for a ruling coalition in a general election since the establishment of the Third Republic in 1870. Attal said that the priority was to prevent NR from gaining an absolute majority in the National Assembly and asked Ensemble candidates in third place against NR in their constituencies to withdraw from the second round of voting.{{cite web|first=Corinne|last=Deloy|access-date=6 September 2024|url=https://www.robert-schuman.eu/en/monitor/6258-the-rassemblement-national-leads-in-the-first-round-of-legislative-elections-in-france|title=The Rassemblement National leads in the first round of legislative elections in France|date=2 July 2024|work=Robert Schumann Foundation}} The second round of voting on 7 July resulted in Ensemble winning 168 seats, behind NFP with 182 and ahead of RN with 143.{{cite web|url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/les-decodeurs/article/2024/07/07/2024-french-election-results-chart-and-map-of-second-round-winners_6676976_8.html|title=2024 French elections: map and chart of results|date=8 July 2024|work=Le Monde|access-date=6 September 2024}} Attal offered his resignation to the president the following morning, only for it to be refused by Macron, who asked him to stay on for the time being in order to maintain the stability of the country.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c51ygevlylvo|title=Macron asks French PM to stay on as political deadlock continues

|date=8 July 2024|work=BBC|first=Paul|last=Kirby|access-date=6 September 2024}} Attal retained his own seat in the Hauts-de-Seine's 10th constituency with 58.2% of the vote in a contest against NFP candidate Cécile Soubelet.{{cite web|url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/politics/article/2024/07/08/prime-minister-gabriel-attal-re-elected-in-his-paris-region-stronghold_6677088_5.html | title=French elections: Prime Minister Gabriel Attal retains his seat west of Paris|date=8 July 2024|work=Le Monde|access-date=6 September 2024}}

On 13 July 2024, Attal was elected unopposed as leader of the Renaissance Party in the National Assembly with the support of 84 of the 98 Renaissance members.{{cite news|url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/politics/article/2024/07/13/pm-gabriel-attal-elected-head-of-renaissance-group-in-french-parliament_6683109_5.html|title=French PM Attal elected head of Macron's Renaissance group in Parliament|publisher=Le Monde|date=13 July 2024|accessdate=13 July 2024}} Macron formally accepted Attal's resignation on 16 July 2024, but at the same time asked him to remain in place as head of a caretaker government.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ceqd6v6lwvgo|title=Macron accepts PM resignation but asks him to stay on|date=16 July 2024|work=BBC|first=Laura|last=Gozzi|access-date=6 September 2024}}

= Post-premiership (2024–present) =

On 5 September 2024, President Macron appointed Michel Barnier as the new prime minister. At the handover ceremony the following day, Attal made a speech in which he expressed his frustration at having had only eight months in office – too little time to see any of his plans come to fruition. On leaving the office of prime minister, he took on leadership of Macron's party in the National Assembly.{{cite web|url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/politics/article/2024/09/06/ex-prime-minister-gabriel-attal-leaves-office-with-eyes-on-the-future_6725049_5.html|title= Ex-prime minister Gabriel Attal leaves office with eyes on the future|date=6 September 2024|work=Le Monde|access-date=6 September 2024|first=Claire|last=Gatinois}} Attal's tenure as prime minister is the third-shortest under the Fifth Republic, after Michel Barnier and Bernard Cazeneuve.{{cn|date=May 2025}}

Personal life

In 2018, Attal was outed on Twitter by his former École alsacienne classmate Juan Branco.{{Cite web |last=Girard |first=Quentin |date=23 April 2019 |title=Gabriel Attal, de ses propres zèles |url=https://www.liberation.fr/france/2019/04/23/gabriel-attal-de-ses-propres-zeles_1722937 |access-date= |website=Libération |publisher= |language=fr |archive-date=9 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240109133917/https://www.liberation.fr/france/2019/04/23/gabriel-attal-de-ses-propres-zeles_1722937/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |date=18 February 2020 |title=Juan Branco a-t-il une "haine quasi-obsessionnelle" à l'endroit de Benjamin Griveaux? |url=https://www.radiofrance.fr/franceinter/juan-branco-a-t-il-une-haine-quasi-obsessionnelle-a-l-endroit-de-benjamin-griveaux-5282670 |website=Radio France Internationale |publisher= |language=fr |access-date=28 August 2023 |archive-date=9 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240109133841/https://www.radiofrance.fr/franceinter/juan-branco-a-t-il-une-haine-quasi-obsessionnelle-a-l-endroit-de-benjamin-griveaux-5282670 |url-status=live }} Attal lived in a civil union with Stéphane Séjourné at the time.{{Cite news |last=Biseau |first=Grégoire |date=31 October 2021 |title=Stéphane Séjourné et Gabriel Attal, un couple au cœur du pouvoir |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/m-le-mag/article/2021/10/31/stephane-sejourne-et-gabriel-attal-un-couple-au-c-ur-du-pouvoir_6100485_4500055.html |access-date= |work=Le Monde |publisher= |language=fr |archive-date=9 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240109134351/https://www.lemonde.fr/m-le-mag/article/2021/10/31/stephane-sejourne-et-gabriel-attal-un-couple-au-c-ur-du-pouvoir_6100485_4500055.html |url-status=live }} Their relationship had ended by 2024.{{cite web|url=https://www.politico.eu/article/11-things-know-gabriel-attal-france-youngest-prime-minister-emmanuel-macron-government-reshuffle/|title=Who is Gabriel Attal, France's new prime minister?|date=9 January 2024|publisher=|last=Goury-Laffont|first=Victor|website=Politico Europe|access-date=9 January 2024|archive-date=9 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240109192619/https://www.politico.eu/article/11-things-know-gabriel-attal-france-youngest-prime-minister-emmanuel-macron-government-reshuffle/|url-status=live}} When they were both attending the École alsacienne, Attal had a relationship with singer Joyce Jonathan,{{Cite web |last=Wolfstirn |first=Anastasia |date=9 January 2024 |title=Gabriel Attal : son histoire d'amour avec une célèbre chanteuse |url=https://www.gala.fr/l_actu/news_de_stars/gabriel-attal-son-histoire-damour-avec-une-celebre-chanteuse_480144 |access-date= |website=Gala |language=fr |archive-date=9 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240109123829/https://www.gala.fr/l_actu/news_de_stars/gabriel-attal-son-histoire-damour-avec-une-celebre-chanteuse_480144 |url-status=live}} but Jonathan said that the relationship was merely "a joke between us" and "a playtime crush".{{Cite web |last=Lemarchand |first=Allan |date=30 June 2023 |title="C'est une blague entre nous" : Joyce Jonathan revient sur son histoire d'amour avec Gabriel Attal |url=https://www.gala.fr/l_actu/news_de_stars/cest-une-blague-entre-nous-joyce-jonathan-revient-sur-son-histoire-damour-avec-gabriel-attal_524297 |access-date= |website=Gala |language=fr |archive-date=29 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231129205020/https://www.gala.fr/l_actu/news_de_stars/cest-une-blague-entre-nous-joyce-jonathan-revient-sur-son-histoire-damour-avec-gabriel-attal_524297 |url-status=live }} Attal said in a TV interview that he had been subjected to homophobic bullying at school. He has also described being the target of homophobic and antisemitic hate speech on social media as a politician.{{Cite web |last=Sitbon |first=Shirli |date=31 July 2023 |title=Gabriel Attal: Barrage of antisemitic abuse for rising star of French politics |url=https://www.thejc.com/news/world/barrage-of-antisemitic-abuse-for-rising-young-star-of-french-politics-mfuv8olo |access-date= |website=The Jewish Chronicle |publisher= |archive-date=11 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240111104730/https://www.thejc.com/news/world/barrage-of-antisemitic-abuse-for-rising-young-star-of-french-politics-mfuv8olo |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Mandanda |first=Steve |date=2023-05-18 |title=Fo88 |url=https://fo88.live/ |access-date=2025-05-14 |website=fo88.live}} Attal has also been criticized by LGBT rights organizations for not being outspoken enough about his sexuality and the promotion of LGBT rights.{{Cite web |last=Krief |first=Barbara |date=12 January 2024 |title=Gabriel Attal, gay mais pas queer| url=https://www.nouvelobs.com/rue89/20240112.OBS83209/chronique-gabriel-attal-gay-mais-pas-queer.html |access-date= 19 January 2024 |website=L'Obs |language=fr |archive-date=12 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240112170044/https://www.nouvelobs.com/rue89/20240112.OBS83209/chronique-gabriel-attal-gay-mais-pas-queer.html |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Bussigny |first=Nora |date=16 January 2024 |title=Quand la nomination d'Attal déchaîne l'homophobie de militants… LGBT| url=https://www.lepoint.fr/societe/quand-la-nomination-d-attal-dechaine-l-homophobie-de-militants-lgbt-16-01-2024-2549823_23.php#11 |access-date= 23 January 2024 |website=Le Point |language=fr |archive-date=16 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116060628/https://www.lepoint.fr/societe/quand-la-nomination-d-attal-dechaine-l-homophobie-de-militants-lgbt-16-01-2024-2549823_23.php#11 |url-status=live}} Though baptized as a member of the Russian Orthodox Church, Attal considers himself an atheist.{{cite news|url=https://international.la-croix.com/news/politics/frances-new-prime-minister-has-russian-orthodox-and-jewish-roots/18990|title=France's new prime minister has Russian Orthodox and Jewish roots|first=Alice|last=d’Oléon|publisher=La Croix International|date=10 January 2024|access-date=28 March 2024|archive-date=10 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240110190150/https://international.la-croix.com/news/politics/frances-new-prime-minister-has-russian-orthodox-and-jewish-roots/18990|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Fontaine |first=Nicolas |date=2024-02-13 |title=Les cousins royaux de Gabriel Attal et ses nobles origines |url=https://histoiresroyales.fr/cousins-royaux-gabriel-attal-nobles-origines/ |access-date=2024-06-09 |website=Histoires Royales |language=fr |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240216153559/https://histoiresroyales.fr/cousins-royaux-gabriel-attal-nobles-origines/|archive-date=16 February 2024|url-status=live}}

Ancestry

Attal's father was of Tunisian Jewish and Alsatian Jewish descent. His mother is of French and Greek-Russian ancestry from Odesa, her grandfather having arrived in France as a White Russian émigré. Genealogists have found both French and Russian nobility, including members of the La Forest-Divonne family in France and the House of Golitsyn in Russia, amongst her ancestors. Through his mother, Attal is descended from King Charles VI of France and Queen consort Isabeau of Bavaria, who signed the Treaty of Troyes of 1420, which made King Henry V of England heir to the French throne during the Hundred Years' War.{{cite web |date=1 January 2024 |title=La très belle généalogie de Gabriel Attal |trans-title=The remarkable genealogy of Gabriel Attal |url=https://www.rfgenealogie.com/infos/la-tres-belle-genealogie-de-gabriel-attal |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240110062834/https://www.rfgenealogie.com/infos/la-tres-belle-genealogie-de-gabriel-attal |archive-date=10 January 2024 |publisher=La Revue française de Généalogie}}