His campaign is similar to the highly successful campaign of centrist liberal Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten in October 2025, which emphasized a positive outlook on the future, prioritizing young generations, and fostering national pride.
“My first promise is that we will once again become Europe’s leading power within six years. That is our rank, our place, our destiny,” he said, pledging to position France as Europe’s leader in artificial intelligence.
Attal is succeeding incumbent French President Emmanuel Macron as the centrist liberal Renaissance party’s presidential candidate, a party he leads. After nearly a decade of Macron governments and decreasing popularity, Attal aims to differentiate himself from Macron to present his candidacy as one of change and reform.
The 37-year-old politician was prime minister under Macron from January to September 2024. He was the youngest prime minister in French history and the first openly gay one.
Recent polls place Attal in fourth place with 13 percent of the popular vote, behind far-right French Rally candidate Jordan Bardella, center-right Édouard Philippe, and radical left France Unbowed leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon.
On Saturday, Attal stated his priorities would be to enhance education, increase purchasing power by raising wages and boosting businesses, and invest in research and innovation. His third priority is tighter border controls, clearly aimed at reclaiming voters who have shifted to the right and far right, where immigration and border security are key political concerns.
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