Emmanuel Macron has appointed one of his loyalists, Education minister as France’s youngest-ever prime minister.

Gabriel Attal, 34, replaced Elisabeth Borne and thus becomes France’s youngest and first openly gay PM.  His appointment will reinvigorate what has been a difficult second term for Macron and limit any possible gains for the far right in the June European elections.

Attal shares similar qualities to the president, such as his ambition, strong media presence and centrist politics. He is the best-known and most recognisable face of a close circle of young politicians around the president.

Attal described his appointment as a bold move by Macron. “The youngest president in [French] history is appointing the youngest prime minister in [French] history. I want to see it as a symbol of audacity,” he said, promising to “free up France’s potential”.

The new PM, who is set to appoint a new government in the coming days, said he would pursue what he described as Macron’s pro-business drive to transform the French economy, while focusing on young people and education.

Welcoming him to his new role, President Macron wrote on social media: “I know I can count on your energy and your commitment to implement the project of revitalisation and regeneration that I announced.”