Berlin ‘surprised’ over choice of Attal as French PM

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, leader of France’s closest ally, was reportedly surprised by the appointment of 34-year-old former education minister Gabriel Attal as the new prime minister, making him the country’s and one of the world’s youngest-ever prime ministers.

However, Berlin considers Attal an advocate of Franco-German relations and expects “continuity” under his mandate ahead of the EU elections, with a particular focus on the youth rapprochement, local politicians told Euractiv.

On Tuesday, French President Emmanuel Macron announced Attal as his pick to succeed former prime minister Elisabeth Borne.

The choice of a relatively inexperienced lawmaker has raised some eyebrows in Berlin.

When asked about Attal‘s age on Wednesday, German government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit told reporters, “The chancellor was quite surprised, as were many French observers, when the choice was announced.” He added a disclaimer, however, that age was not a proxy for qualification.

Attal’s experience and age have drawn attention in France, as he is the country’s youngest-ever prime minister. The previous record holder, Laurent Fabius, was 37 when he assumed office in 1984.

Some of Macron’s closest allies had allegedly warned against Attal, including political heavyweights Bruno Le Maire and Gérald Darmanin, holding the economy and home affairs portfolios, respectively.

According to media reports, Attal is seen as too young to hold authority on ministers several years his senior.

“I had two concerns. The first is that leaving the education ministry [so shortly] after you’ve arrived is a problem. The second is that experience is needed to head a country experiencing such profound difficulties”, François Bayrou, senior advisor and chief of the MoDem party, Macron’s political ally, told Le Parisien.

Notably, experience will be a factor as Attal and his cabinet picks are thrown into the cold water of having to manoeuvre the notoriously sensitive Franco-German relationship just months ahead of EU elections.

The ministers of both countries meet twice a year for a joint retreat. The last edition in October was widely credited with resolving an intricate conflict over the reform of the European electricity market.

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‘Advocate of the Franco-German friendship’

Aside from the new prime minister’s unusual background, the mood in Berlin was primarily positive, with the German government expecting continuity in the Franco-German relationship under the new leadership, the spokesperson confirmed.

Attal’s counterpart during his time as education minister, Germany’s Franco-German Culture Commissioner Anke Rehlinger, praised him as an “advocate of the Franco-German friendship” who would “push the collaboration between both countries forward”.

Youth rapprochement between the two countries could be particularly important for Attal as he stated that education policy would remain close to his heart upon entering office.

“Getting young people in both countries interested in the language of the other was an important concern for us both [and] I’m convinced that it will continue to be important [under Attal‘s premiership],” Rehlinger, who is also prime minister of the regional German state of Saarland, told Euractiv.

(Theo Bourgery-Gonse | Euractiv.fr, Nick Alipour | Euractiv.de)

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