Comment: Attal Instead of Borne

The recent resignation of French Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne attracted a great deal of attention in many places, including Slovenia. First, probably, because such resignations mostly happen in the context of political crises, and second, because of the youth of the new Prime Minister, 34-year-old Gabriel Attal. Let us leave aside those who are surprised that Attal is gay, since such surprise, in my opinion, says more about them than about him.

In France’s constitutional and political context, the change from Borne to Attal is far less surprising or unusual. First of all, because France is a presidential republic, and the Prime Minister, like the ministers, is appointed and dismissed by the head of state. Such changes at the Hôtel Matignon, the Prime Minister’s residence, are a constant in France. Attal is already the fourth Prime Minister since the start of President Macron’s first term. Changes can occur when the President judges that the Prime Minister is worn out, unpopular and not doing the job well enough. A change can also occur when the public judges that it is the President himself who is worn out, unpopular and unsuccessful.

Sometimes French presidents, especially during a first term that they can still renew, decide to replace their prime ministers when these are too dynamic, successful and popular, since they steal the President’s luster and can become a troublesome rival at the next presidential election. In the opinion of some, this was the reason Macron’s first Prime Minister, Édouard Philippe, departed during Macron’s first term. This time, of course, that was not the scenario, not only because Borne never matched Philippe’s popularity, but above all because Macron cannot run for a third term. By being appointed head of government, with Macron’s blessing, Attal certainly becomes one of the possible contenders to succeed him, if not in three years, then in eight.

Nor is it shocking, in the French political context, that the new Prime Minister is only 34. First, because he was chosen by someone who was only five years older when he was elected to the far more important office of President. The choice of a young, communicative politician seems all the more logical in the context of the upcoming European elections, which carry considerable domestic political weight in France, above all as regards the balance of power between the governing coalition and the far right. The far right narrowly won the last European elections; this time opinion polls point to a much larger lead, as much as 10 percentage points. The result of the European elections will set the starting positions for the next presidential election three years later. The National Rally’s campaign is being led very successfully by its president Jordan Bardella, who stands out for his dynamism, his communication skills—and his youth. He is 28.