Attal Throws Hat in Ring for French Presidency
Gabriel Attal, 37, announced his candidacy to succeed President Emmanuel Macron on May 22, declaring he cannot accept French politics focused on "managing decline," creating internal competition within the Renaissance party bloc.
According to Brussels Signal, Attal, 37, made his candidacy announcement on May 22, declaring that he can’t accept “French politics anymore, where it’s just 50 shades of managing decline.” The move marks a significant development in the race to succeed President Emmanuel Macron, who is constitutionally barred from seeking another term.
Attal’s entry into the centrist field creates internal competition within the Renaissance party bloc. Édouard Philippe, Macron’s first prime minister, has been positioning himself as a candidate since 2024 and currently leads centrist polling. The Renaissance national council formally endorsed Attal’s candidacy in recent weeks, with 221 members—representing 91 percent—voting in favour, according to French media reports.
The former premier must officially declare his candidacy by October 1, though party member approval remains a requirement. He is scheduled to hold a campaign rally in Paris on May 30.
Attal, who became France’s youngest prime minister in 2024 after serving as education minister, resigned from office in July 2024 following centrist losses in early legislative elections. His candidacy arrives amid broader political competition, with the right-wing National Rally widely expected to mount a strong challenge through Marine Le Pen, despite her facing legal eligibility questions. Bruno Retailleau, a former interior minister, represents the traditional conservative right’s preferred option according to recent polling.
With information from Brussels Signal
