French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne Resigns

French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne resigned on Monday as part of President Emmanuel Macron’s anticipated cabinet reshuffle aimed at revitalizing the final three years of his presidency.

Education Minister Gabriel Attal, 34, is emerging as the likely successor to Borne, potentially becoming France’s youngest and first openly gay prime minister. Borne submitted the government’s resignation, with the presidency stating that she and other ministers would continue daily duties until a new government is formed.

While Borne’s resignation letter expressed her passion for the mission, the announcement of a new prime minister was expected on Tuesday morning. The reshuffle is seen as crucial for Macron to reinvigorate his centrist presidency after facing challenges such as protests, loss of parliamentary majority, and controversy over immigration legislation.

Potential candidates for the role include Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu and former agriculture minister Julien Denormandie, but Attal is considered the favorite. Macron thanked Borne for her exemplary service, and the reshuffle is viewed as an effort to prevent far-right figurehead Marine Le Pen from gaining ground in upcoming elections.

Attal, despite his youth, is seen as a more political figure than the outgoing Borne, and his popularity in polls positions him well for the challenges ahead, including the European Parliament elections in June.

The fate of other key ministers, including Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin, Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna, and Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire, remains uncertain. Macron’s tendency to keep options open until the last moment adds an element of anticipation to the forthcoming announcements.

If selected, Attal would be Macron’s fourth prime minister since 2017.