In five years, he has established himself as an important figure in Macronie. Gabriel Attal was appointed Minister Delegate for Public Accounts this Friday. A very nice promotion for the one who has been government spokesperson since 2020, after having held the position of Secretary of State to the Minister of National Education and Youth for two years.
In recent weeks, the name of Gabriel Attal has been whispered, as well as that of Julien Denormandie, to succeed Jean-Michel Blanquer in Education. But it was ultimately Pap Ndiaye who won, Gabriel Attal becoming the big money maker by inheriting the Budget. A decision that does not surprise Frédéric Dabi, opinion director of Ifop: “Among the personalities who were still unknown in 2017, he was the one who broke through the most in terms of popularity. It now appears to be a must in the government”. Moreover, in the barometer of personalities from Paris Match / Sud Radio – Ifop / Fiducial published in April, 38% of French people said they had a good opinion of him.
“Gabriel Attal was faultless in this position”
Although very young, Gabriel Attal can boast of already having a solid political experience. A member of the Socialist Party at 17, he joined the cabinet of the Minister of Health, Marisol Touraine, at 23, as an adviser in charge of relations with Parliament. In 2016, he joined En Marche and became the spokesperson for La République en Marche at the end of 2017. That same year, he was elected deputy for Hauts-de-Seine. Then sits on the Committee for Cultural Affairs and Education at the National Assembly. But it was in 2018 that serious things really began, when he was appointed Secretary of State to the Minister of National Education and Youth at the age of 29.
Responsible for implementing the universal national service, he stood out for his dynamic style and his way of renewing communication in politics. He uses YouTube, Twitch and Instagram to reach youth and promote UNS. In the summer of 2020, he obtained a big mark of confidence by inheriting the spokesperson. A mission all the more delicate as he succeeds Sibeth Ndiaye, who had committed some memorable blunders before him. According to Frédéric Dabi, “Gabriel Attal was faultless in this position. In the midst of the “yellow vests” crisis, he appeared as the voice of defense for Macronie. And during the health crisis, he did not make a big mistake and his repeated speeches definitely installed him. ” Same story with Emmanuel Rivière, the director of political studies at the Kantar Institute: “He caught the light and was able to find the right posture: he was not too tongue-in-cheek and did not commit faux pas. »
“He knows the house and he knows how to negotiate, that should help him”
Very often invited on TV shows or on radio shows, he also stood out for his punchlines and his taste for verbal jousting. As during his debates against Jordan Bardella, where he was pugnacious. “He understood that he should not be content with communications from the throne, at the end of the Council of Ministers, on Wednesday. Some of his interventions appeared to be courageous, especially when they took place in a difficult political context”, underlines Fredéric Dabi. Especially since the man has often been the victim of homophobic and anti-Semitic messages on social networks. An opinion shared by Christelle Craplet: “This position allowed him to exist in the media. He found his place, without causing controversy or creating hiccups.
Now at the head of the Budget, under the leadership of Bruno Le Maire in the Economy, a great challenge awaits him. But could his youth put him at a disadvantage in this position? “I think it has become a non-subject because not only has it proven itself, but Macron has reversed habits in this area”, underlines Christelle Craplet. “He knows how to negotiate, that should help him,” concludes Frédéric Dabi.