France’s Macron and new PM Attal craft new government

PARIS - French President Emmanuel Macron and his new prime minister Gabriel Attal worked on Jan 10 to pull together a Cabinet, a day after

Mr Macron appointed the 34-year-old media-savvy ally

to breathe new life into his second term.

Mr Attal has promised to be bold and fast to help the middle class weather the rising cost of living, signalling a desire by Mr Macron to move beyond divisive reforms and improve his centrist party’s chances in European Parliament elections in June.

Little has leaked on the formation of the new Cabinet, though Mr Gerald Darmanin told French media he was confident he would stay on as interior minister. He is in charge, among other issues, of security for this summer’s Paris Olympics.

Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire, who has been in his job for seven years – rare stability in that role by French standards – also seemed keen to stay on and unveiled his plans at the ministry for the whole year in a speech on Jan 8.

A source in regular contact with both Mr Le Maire and Mr Macron said he expected the former to remain in the post. “For the president, it’s a guarantee there will be no hiccups.”

Mr Attal’s office told Reuters Mr Emmanuel Moulin, a close ally of Mr Macron’s powerful chief of staff Alexis Kohler, would become the prime minister’s chief of staff, in a sign the president may keep a close eye on his premier, as he has for predecessors.

The reshuffle is likely to intensify the race in Mr Macron’s camp to succeed him in the next presidential election in 2027, with former prime minister Edouard Philippe, Mr Darmanin and Mr Le Maire all seen as potential candidates – alongside fast-rising Mr Attal.

French commentators said Mr Attal’s ambitious and more senior Cabinet colleagues could give him a hard time. But the surprise choice suggests the president was keen to promote a “Macron generation” of thirtysomethings, a palace official said.

It was unclear when the new government team would be appointed, with Senate president Gerard Larcher telling TF1 TV that Mr Attal told him it could be done around the end of the week.

Widespread public discontent over surging living costs and l2023r’s contested pension reform have seriously hit Mr Macron’s ratings and his chances in the European Union ballot, where his party trails badly behind Ms Marine Le Pen’s far-right.

Mr Attal has polled as one of France’s most popular politicians in recent months.

A Macron loyalist, he became a household name as government spokesperson during the Covid-19 pandemic and earned a reputation as a smooth communicator. REUTERS