Early Life and Education
Gabriel Nissim Attal de Couriss was born on March 16, 1989, in Clamart, a suburb of Paris, France. Growing up in a military family in the 13th and 14th arrondissements of Paris, he was raised alongside three sisters. His father, Yves Attal, was a lawyer and film producer, while his mother, Marie de Couriss, worked in a film production company. Gabriel was exposed to a rich cultural background; his father was Jewish, and his mother was a Russian Orthodox Christian, with Gabriel being raised in his mother’s faith.
Attal attended the prestigious École alsacienne, where he excelled academically, obtaining a Baccalauréat with honors in 2007. He pursued higher education in law at Panthéon-Assas University from 2008 to 2011, followed by a Master of Public Affairs from Sciences Po in 2012. During his studies, he was actively involved in politics, participating in youth protests in 2006 and advocating for Franco-Colombian hostage Íngrid Betancourt.
Political Career
Attal’s political career began with an internship at the French National Assembly in 2012, where he assisted Marisol Touraine during the presidential campaign. He subsequently worked as an aide to the Minister of Health for five years. His political journey took a significant leap during the 2014 municipal elections, where he was elected as one of the four Socialist Party councillors in Vanves, eventually leading the opposition after a colleague’s resignation.
In June 2017, he was elected to the French National Assembly, representing Hauts-de-Seine’s 10th constituency. His talents quickly earned him recognition as a rising star within the La République En Marche! party. He was appointed as the Junior Minister for National Education and Youth in October 2018, making him the youngest member of the French government under the Fifth Republic.
Over the next few years, Attal held several key positions, including Government Spokesperson and Minister of Public Action and Accounts in 2022. In July 2023, he became Minister of National Education and Youth, where he made headlines for implementing a ban on abayas in public schools.
Prime Minister of France
On January 9, 2024, Attal was appointed Prime Minister of France by President Emmanuel Macron amid a government crisis, becoming the youngest and first openly gay individual to hold the office. His tenure was marked by significant challenges, including leading a minority government and addressing public discontent.
Under his leadership, Attal faced a snap election called by Macron in June 2024, following disappointing results in the European Parliament elections. Despite efforts to unite the ruling coalition, the elections resulted in a hung parliament, and Attal announced his resignation shortly after the exit polls were released on July 7, 2024. Macron accepted his resignation on July 16, 2024, but Attal continued to lead a caretaker government until a new prime minister was appointed.
Post-Premiership
Following his resignation, Attal took on the role of leader of the Renaissance Party in the National Assembly. He expressed frustration over his short tenure as Prime Minister, feeling it was insufficient to implement his vision for the country.
Personal Life
Gabriel Attal publicly came out in 2018 after being outed on social media. He previously lived in a civil union with Stéphane Séjourné, a member of the European Parliament, although their relationship ended in 2024. Despite his experiences with homophobic bullying in school and political life, Attal has continued to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, though he has faced criticism for not being vocal enough on the subject.
Raised in the Russian Orthodox Church, Attal identifies as an atheist today. His dynamic background and progressive policies have positioned him as a prominent figure in contemporary French politics, with speculations surrounding his potential candidacy for the 2027 presidential election.
As a politician, Attal embodies a new generation of leaders, balancing a commitment to equality and public service with the complexities of modern governance.
