French PM Edouard Philippe and government resign

French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe presented the demission of the government to President Emmanuel Macron, the French presidential palace announced on Friday morning.

Philippe “assures, with the members of the government, the dealing of affairs until the government is formed,” said Elysee in its press release.

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In an interview with regional newspapers published late on Thursday, Macron, cornered by local election blows and fierce opposition to his reforms, said he would ensure a new phase of his presidency with a refreshed cabinet to inject new life into his administration to meet economic, social and health challenges.

“The new phase entails new goals of independence, reconstruction, reconciliation and new methods. Behind that there will be a new team,” Macron said. “I will have to make choices to lead the new path.”

Macron remained reticent about the future of his Prime Minister Edouard Philippe and the main figures that would compose his executive staff. Meanwhile, speculations over the entry of environmentalists into the government are mounting following their big success in mayoral elections.

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The ruling centrist The Republic on the Move (LREM) party — founded by the president ahead of his 2017 election win — failed in local contests without winning a single major city.

UPDATE

French President Emmanuel Macron named Jean Castex as new prime minister, the Elysee Palace said Friday in a statement.

Source: Xinhua