Macron Shifts French Government to the Right with Sarkozy Loyalists

Gabriel Attal, France's Youngest and First Openly Gay Prime Minister, Leads New Government Amidst Challenging Economic Circumstances

Emmanuel Macron has significantly shifted the French government to the right, bringing in key figures close to former rightwing president Nicolas Sarkozy, in an attempt to reinvigorate his second term and limit possible gains by the far right at the European elections.
Gabriel Attal, 34, France’s youngest ever prime minister, is leading the new government. Attal is openly gay, making France the world’s most important country with an openly gay head of government.
Eight of the 14 key ministers have a background in Sarkozy’s party, Les Républicains, including the surprise appointment as culture minister of Rachida Dati, who served as Sarkozy’s justice minister from 2007 to 2009.
The European elections on 9 June are seen as a midterm test for Macron, but Le Pen’s far-right National Rally is firmly ahead in the polls.
Attal is under pressure to fulfil Macron’s promise of full-employment in France in tricky economic circumstances. He will pursue Macron’s pro-business policies, aim to cut the deficit while also cutting taxes and overhauling social protections such as pensions and unemployment benefits.