In a move aimed at injecting fresh momentum into his reform agenda ahead of the European elections in June, French President Emmanuel Macron accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne on Monday. Borne, who became the second woman to hold the post in France, will continue to lead the government until her successor is named. Speculation suggests that Education Minister Gabriel Attal, a 34-year-old rising star in Macron's party, could be the front-runner for the position.
President Macron expressed his gratitude for Borne's work and service in a post on the social media platform X, but did not announce a successor. The official announcement is expected on Tuesday morning. Borne herself revealed in a letter to Macron that he had informed her of his decision to replace her, emphasizing the importance of the government continuing to pursue reforms.
During her tenure, Borne, a technocrat with a background in labor, environment, and transport, faced challenges in building a coalition to pass legislation in the National Assembly, as Macron's party lost its outright majority. Last year, she resorted to utilizing a constitutional provision to push through a controversial retirement reform without a full vote. The president's party has faced fractures recently, as demonstrated by the approval of an immigration bill with the support of conservative lawmakers, which prompted the resignation of the health minister and garnered criticism from Macron's left-leaning supporters.
Both Macron and Borne have struggled with low approval ratings. According to a recent poll by Elabe for Les Echos, only 23% of respondents had confidence in Borne, while 27% expressed faith in Macron. Surprisingly, Gabriel Attal emerged as the second most popular politician in France, with a 39% approval rating, surpassing far-right National Rally leader Marine Le Pen. Attal's rise within the party and his popularity among the public make him a potential candidate for the prime ministerial position.
As Macron seeks a fresh start and aims to regain political momentum, the appointment of a new prime minister will likely be a crucial step. With European elections on the horizon, the president will be keen to rally support and strengthen his reformist agenda. The coming days will shed light on whether Gabriel Attal or another candidate will be entrusted with leading the French government and working alongside Macron to navigate the challenges and priorities that lie ahead.