Gabriel Attal becomes France’s youngest, first openly gay premier

Attal, 34, took the reins on Tuesday as France's youngest-ever prime minister as President Emmanuel Macron sought to revamp his government following a year of protests and criticism from both the left and the right.

"The president of the republic appointed Mr. Gabriel Attal prime minister and tasked him with forming a government," read a presidential statement issued on Tuesday, reports france24.com.

Gabriel Attal rose to prominence as the government spokesman and education minister. He is France’s first openly gay prime minister.

A wider cabinet reshuffle is expected this week as Macron seeks to sharpen his team for the final three years of his presidency.

Attal's predecessor Élisabeth Borne resigned on Monday following recent political turmoil over an immigration law that critics said made too many concessions to the far right. Among other measures, it broadened the government's ability to deport foreigners.

The government overhaul comes ahead of the Olympic Games in Paris and European parliament elections this summer, where Macron's centrist forces risk defeat at the hands of the far-right under Marine Le Pen.