French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe Resigns

French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe resigned Friday in the run-up to President Emmanuel Macron's reshuffle to boost his green credentials and bring over disillusioned supporters in the run-up to a potential re-election offer.

The Elysee Palace said in a statement that Philippe will remain in charge of government affairs until a new cabinet was named.

Questions over Philippe’s job have swirled since mid-June when Macron declared he wanted to “reinvent” his presidency.

In the French government's reshuffles, the prime minister tenders his resignation in advance of cabinet elections, but may also be promoted to the role. It was not entirely clear if Philippe was to be called upon to shape a new cabinet.

Macron 's attempt to reshape his moderate administration came after the electorate disciplined the wealthy investment banker and his group in regional local elections.

The elections revealed growing support for the Green Party and highlighted Macron 's problems with the left-leaning voters. The only bright point for Macron was Philippe's own win in the northern harbor town of Le Havre.

With only 21 months until the next presidential election, Macron wants to reposition himself, close advisers say.

This would be a political game for Macron to succeed Philippe, who is more popular with the public than the chancellor, risky experts claim. Throughout periods of instability, the Prime Minister has displayed staunch commitment and could surface as a presidential contender in 2022.

But keeping Philippe in office could also be problematic. This may mean that Macron was too fragile to let go of his prime minister, and that his youthful party lacks the strength to allow for a full-blooded cabinet reform.

Moreover, Macron poached Philippe from the centre-right opposition and holding onto him would complicate winning back leftist voters.

Source: Reuters