“Dear Gabriel, first of all welcome to Matignon“. It is in these terms that Élisabeth Borne welcomed her successor, Gabriel Attal to Matignon, this January 9, 2024. The day before, the head of government had resigned from her functions, before Emmanuel Macron appointed, this day , the young Minister of Education in his post.
He reached Matignon on foot
The new Prime Minister took the direction of the Hôtel de Matignon after leaving on foot the rue de Grenelle where the Ministry of National Education is located. He was accompanied by Fanny Anor, his chief of staff and Louis Jublin, his communications advisor. The new Prime Minister crossed the Matignon courtyard while Élisabeth Borne welcomed him at the bottom of the steps. The latter accompanied him to his office to discuss current files with him.
Back on the steps, Élisabeth Borne addressed her successor in these terms: “You have the determination and energy to lead a team and carry out the projects necessary for our country. You also have this desire to keep, to respect the word given knowing that you are in this role. I have confidence and I wish you all my best wishes. You can count on me to help you. The success of our country depends on it and ultimately it’s the only thing that matters.”
“The youngest Prime Minister” appointed by the “youngest president of the Fifth Republic”
And Gabriel Attal replied that he saw in her “an example“. “We all know what we owe you” he told her, addressing her informally as she addressed him informally. Gabriel Attal recalled that the “youngest president of the Fifth Republic” had today named “youngest prime minister“, and that he saw it as a symbol”of boldness and movement”.
And also to send a thought “for Edouard Philippe, who was the first to trust me. For Élisabeth, whom I thank for her trust. And for Jean Castex, with whom I learned so much. (…) I know what our political family and France owes him“.
F.A.