its strengths and handicaps to counter the progression of the RN

In opinion surveys, the rating of the National Rally is on the rise. Emmanuel Macron hopes to reverse the trend with the appointment of Gabriel Attal.

The Head of State has a fear that turns into an obsession: above all, he fears that Marine Le Pen will succeed him at the Élysée in 2027. He intends to do everything to prevent this. With Gabriel Attal, he thinks he has found an anti-National Rally (RN) weapon and he hopes that it will take effect as soon as the European elections of June 9. For the moment, the list led by Jordan Bardella is at the top of the voting intention polls with 8 to 10 points ahead of that of Renaissance. With Gabriel Attal at Matignon, the majority hopes to make up for this delay and limit the damage.

Gabriel Attal has several assets to counter the far right. In addition to his age, 34 years old – the same generation as Jordan Bardella who is 28 – Gabriel Attal wants to embody the restoration of authority. At National Education, he has made it his watchword, which pleases both teachers and parents. And he made it a reality, in particular, with a decision acclaimed by public opinion: the ban on the abaya.

He also advocates this return to order in the rest of society as shown by his trip to security on Wednesday in Val D’Oise and his strong tribute to the police. Finally, Gabriel Attal wants to defend the middle classes, the French who work hard, pay their taxes and aspire to tranquility. Sarkozy accents which also hunt on RN lands.

Attal-Bardella: a long-term duel

To reconquer the popular Lepenist electorate, however, the Prime Minister has two handicaps: his social origins and Emmanuel Macron. Pure product of the elite, raised in beautiful neighborhoods, Gabriel Attal cannot be content with appearing as a clone of the head of state. Especially in contrast to Jordan Bardella who grew up in Seine-Saint-Denis.

But the two men also have another thing in common. Both illustrate the shift in politics into a new era of digital activism. These are the two sides of TikTok politics. An application that they use extensively, they post short videos there to attract young people. A fairly narcissistic way of polishing their image to prepare for more distant electoral deadlines. The presidential election of 2027, 2032 or 2037? They have plenty of time. Attal and Bardella seem to have chosen each other as favorite opponents to set up a long-term duel.