Former French Prime Minister, who is called Macron's successor, arrives in Mykolaiv for City Day

Former French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal visits Mykolaiv on 13 September. Photo: Alisa Melik-Adamian, NikVesti

A French delegation headed by former French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal has arrived in Mykolaiv for a working visit. The 36-year-old politician is called a possible successor to Emmanuel Macron, and in 2024 he was included in the list of the world's youngest leaders.

On Saturday, 13 September, Gabriel Attal spoke in Chestnut Square, congratulating Mykolaiv residents on the City Day, NikVesti reports.

In his speech, the French politician stressed that the resilience of Ukrainians in the fight against Russian aggression is a guarantee of the independence of the whole of Europe.

«I am very happy to be here. I came to Mykolaiv not alone, but with a whole delegation of parliamentarians. Your city has been through war and attacks, but it has survived all this and remained resilient. Starting with the first attacks in 2022, you have managed to survive. I am here with deep respect, because in defending your own independence, I understand that you are defending the independence of all of Europe. May Mykolaiv celebrate all future anniversaries as a free Ukrainian city,» said Gabriel Attal.

On Instagram, Attal actively shared his daily routine in Mykolaiv with his followers, starting with his arrival in Kyiv. He also shared a video of the solemn procession from Soborna Square to Chestnut Square, in which he personally took part.

The French delegation, together with Gabriel Attal, took part in the solemn procession on the occasion of Mykolaiv City Day. Photo: Alisa Melik-Adamian, NikVesti

The French delegation together with Gabriel Attal took part in the solemn procession on the occasion of the Day of the City of Mykolaiv. Photo: Alisa Melik-Adamian, NikVesti

The French delegation together with Gabriel Attal took part in the solemn procession on the occasion of the Day of the City of Mykolaiv. Photo: Alisa Melik-Adamian, NikVesti

The politician's stories also include a video of a meeting with the mayor, Oleksandr Sienkevych. Initially, it took place in the Mykolaiv Reconstruction and Development Office, and later, he said, they had to go down to a shelter because of the alarm.

At the Mykolaiv City Council, the French MPs talked to the mayor and officials of Mykolaiv. Screenshot from Gabriel Attal's Instagram page

At the Mykolaiv City Council, French MPs met with the mayor and officials of Mykolaiv. Screenshot from Gabriel Attal's Instagram page

Who is Gabriel Attal and why is he called the next president of France?

In January 2024, more than 60% of the French people called for the replacement of 62-year-old Elisabeth Born as head of government. Two candidates were considered for the post of the next prime minister: Armed Forces Minister Sebastian Lecorne and Agriculture Minister Julien Denormandy. However, the seat was taken by Gabriel Attal, a Frenchman with Ukrainian roots, who was Minister of Education in the Born government.

Gabriel Attal and Emmanuel Macron. Photo: AFP

After that, the well-known French newspaper Le Figaro called President Macron's decision «brazen», based on Attal's age and the minimum term of office in the Ministry of Education — only six months. Attal, 34, became the youngest prime minister in French history and the first openly LGBT person to hold this position.

Gabriel Attal is the secretary general of the pro-presidential party «Renaissance» and the head of its parliamentary faction. He is quite popular. He is second among the centrist presidential candidates, second only to former Prime Minister Edouard Philippe (Macron will no longer be able to run in 2027).

Some French media outlets wrote that Attal's appointment is a kind of Macron's response to the far-right star, 28-year-old Jordaan Bardell, who replaced Marine Le Pen as head of the «National Rally» party.

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However, the left-wing opposition also criticised the president's choice. In particular, Matilda Pano, the leader of the Indomitable France parliamentary faction», called him «Macron the junior, who specialises in arrogance and contempt».

Large-scale protests in France

Recently, the French government was headed by a new prime minister — Attal replaced Sébastien Le Coronne. However, on his first day in office, on 10 September, more than 175,000 people took to the streets to protest. The protesters are against President Emmanuel Macron and budget cuts. People on the streets believe that the new Prime Minister, Sébastien Le Coronneu, will continue the policies of his predecessor.

More than 100,000 people rallied against the new head of the French government. Photo: REUTERS/Abdul Saboor

More than 100,000 people took part in a rally against the new head of the French government. Photo: REUTERS/Abdul Saboor

More than 100,000 people took part in a rally against the new head of the French government. Photo: REUTERS/Abdul Saboor

The Washington Post wrote that the decision further exacerbated the political instability that has accompanied President Macron since the dissolution of the National Assembly and the announcement of early elections in June 2024.

AP writes that the protests under the slogan «Bloquons Tout» (Block everything), despite their scale, were less intense than previous waves of unrest that periodically shook Macron during both his first and second terms in office.